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Growing number of public baths in Austria face shutting down

Strict Lockdowns in Place for Some, Staff Reductions and Fare Increases for Others: Community Budgets Struggle Under the Weight of Providing Free Baths; The Challenging Situation Unfolds.

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Growing number of public baths in Austria face shutting down

Chillin' by the Pool? Not So Fast!

It's a blazing hot summer, but residents of the tiny village of Vorderweißenbach, Upper Austria are heading to the beach - or at least to the closest lake or river. Once again, the public swimming pool will stay closed, leaving locals with no affordable, refreshing option to cool down. The pool closed down in 2023 due to a desperate need for a massive renovation that would cost a whopping 1 million euros, far exceeding the municipality's budget.

Working Through the 'Bathing Crisis'The situation in Vorderweißenbach is echoed across Austria, as municipalities grapple with the high cost of maintaining public pools. With funds tight and budgets being slashed everywhere, the expanse of blue tiles remains empty and silent.

"We've gotten six quotes, and they're all in the same ballpark," says Bernhard Thumfart, mayor of Vorderweißenbach. "Right now, we've got a priority list of necessary expenses, and the pool isn't a priority." Next year, the village is bracing itself for even tougher financial times.

What Comes Next for Vorderweißenbach's Pool?

The uncertain future of the pool area and its infrastructure is on everyone's mind. "We need to think about it," says Thumfart. "Of course, something should happen there, but it needs to be budget-friendly for the municipality."

Mayor Bernhard Zwielehner of nearby Ried im Innkreis has already been brainstorming potential solutions. With some creative thinking, he's come up with a few measures to keep costs down: introducing a combination ticket that covers both the indoor and outdoor pool, developing a new "bonus swimmer" system for self-responsible pool access outside regular hours, and increasing prices. Unfortunately, the budget won't stretch even to cover the upkeep of one employee, so one will be let go.

Stagnant Waters in Other Cities

It's not just Vorderweißenbach facing these struggles. The popular Erlebnisbad in Ansfelden, Upper Austria, is also raising its prices to address rising costs. Despite the challenges, Mayor Christian Partoll remains committed to keeping the pool affordable for families. Though the hiring of seasonal staff remains smooth for now, the future is uncertain.

Annual operations for the public pool in Ansfelden cost approximately 300,000 euros, a chunky sum in the municipal budget. But Partoll believes the investment is worth it, offering cooling relief to many citizens during the sizzling summers.

Pool Safety Advice from the Samaritan AssociationTo ensure even the scaled-down pool season runs smoothly, the Samaritan Association is reminding everyone to prioritize safety. With less staff on hand, vigilance is crucial to prevent accidents.

Energy-based Solutions?

As rising energy costs and the push towards sustainability become increasingly prominent, some may wonder if renewable energy solutions could help alleviate some of the financial burden on public pools. Though these options might hold promise, the upfront investments required may be difficult for some cash-strapped municipalities to justify.

Housing Affordability: A Growing Challenge in AustriaThe affordable housing crisis in Austria adds another layer of complexity to the picture. With escalating housing prices in many areas, municipalities might find it more challenging to allocate funds to non-essential facilities such as public swimming pools.

At the end of the day, residents of Vorderweißenbach and other Austrian towns and villages will have to make do with their improvised cooling solutions as local officials work tirelessly to find ways to keep their public pools afloat.

  1. The affordability issue is a common struggle for many municipalities in Austria, as they attempt to maintain public pools amidst tightening budgets.
  2. Ried im Innkreis' Mayor Bernhard Zwielehner is exploring cost-effective solutions to keep the pool operational, such as introducing a combination ticket for both indoor and outdoor pools, developing a new "bonus swimmer" system, and increasing prices.
  3. In response to rising costs, the Erlebnisbad in Ansfelden has raised its prices, with Mayor Christian Partoll maintaining a commitment to keeping the pool affordable for families.
  4. The Samaritan Association advises everyone to prioritize pool safety, emphasizing vigilance due to the potential reduction in staff levels.
Strict lockdowns for some, staff reductions and tariff hikes for others: Public swimming pools inflicting heavy financial burdens on city budgets. The challenge intensifies with no immediate relief in sight - a status update.
Struggling facilities shut down fully or scale back operations, boosting costs for users. Public swimming spots strain the fiscal resources of local governments. The challenge persists. Here's the current status.

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