Chaotic Scenes at Drammensbadet as Free Entry Causes Overcrowding and Safety Concerns
Last week, the municipal council in Drammen implemented several measures aimed at improving the summer holidays for those with limited means in the municipality. One of these measures was free entry to Drammensbadet for individuals under 18, as well as one accompanying adult for children under 12.
However, what was intended to be a pleasant offer quickly turned into chaos for the employees at Drammensbadet in the days that followed. According to Drammens Tidende, a total of 5,000 guests visited the bathing facility over the weekend, causing overcrowding and safety concerns.
Kristina Vinda, the managing director, expressed her positive view of the political decision but mentioned that it came about suddenly. She stated, “It is a fantastically good measure, and with a little more time to prepare, it could certainly have been carried out quite painlessly. We had expected a lot of people, especially during the joint holiday, but now it was full speed from day one.”
The influx of visitors led to several incidents of outrageous behavior by youth gangs, posing a threat to the safety of the facility. Additionally, numerous children arrived without guardians and without the ability to swim. In one instance, the staff discovered that an eight-year-old was responsible for looking after a four-year-old while their parents swam in the 50-meter pool.
Vinda emphasized that at Drammensbadet, like all other bathing facilities in the country, the rule is “all swimming at your own risk.” It is not allowed to let children who cannot swim go alone to the facility or any other bathing facility. While extra staff has been deployed to ensure safety, Vinda made it clear that lifeguards are not babysitters. The increased responsibility placed on lifeguards to act as babysitters has impacted the overall operation of the facility.
The day-to-day manager acknowledged that they are working to find solutions to wind down operations in the best possible way. However, she stressed that individuals are responsible for their own safety when visiting the facility, including children. The release of free entry could also be more costly for Drammen municipality than initially estimated, as it no longer operates under normal conditions due to the influx of guests from surrounding areas and tourists.
Dagbladet attempted to contact Drammen municipality for a comment on the situation but has not received a response from group leader Lina Strandbråten after repeated inquiries.
How did the Er of Drammensbadet express her surprise at the overwhelming response to the free entry offer?
Er of Drammensbadet, expressed her surprise at the overwhelming response to the free entry offer. She stated, “We were not prepared for this many guests. We simply did not have the capacity or resources to accommodate this large number of people.”
The scenes inside Drammensbadet were described as chaotic and unmanageable, with long queues forming outside the facility even before it opened. As the day progressed, the number of visitors continued to increase, resulting in overcrowding at the pools, water slides, and other recreational areas.
Safety concerns were also raised due to the high number of people present. Lifeguards struggled to maintain control and ensure the safety of all guests. The overcrowding made it difficult for them to effectively monitor the pools and respond to any potential emergencies.
Parents and caregivers also expressed their concerns about the situation. Many felt that the overcrowding made it unsafe for their children to enjoy the facility. Some even chose to leave early to avoid the chaotic scenes.
In response to the issue, the municipal council announced that they would be reviewing the free entry policy and taking measures to address the overcrowding and safety concerns. They acknowledged that the offer was appreciated by many families but also recognized the need to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors.
It remains to be seen how the municipality will address these issues, but it is clear that a balance needs to be struck between providing accessible and affordable summer activities and maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all.
It’s disheartening to see chaotic scenes tarnishing a positive initiative like free summer entry for underprivileged residents at Drammensbadet. Let’s remember the importance of respect, order, and fairness to ensure everyone’s enjoyment and wellbeing at public spaces.