Despite Corona: Leisure pool plans expansion | Free press

Normally there would be a lot of activity in the Greifensteine ​​leisure pool these days. Thanks to the winter holidays, February is often one of the months with the most visitors. In 2020, almost 29,900 guests came during this period – almost 4,000 more than in the previous year. But then the consequences of the corona pandemic slowed the facility. Although it is unclear how long the lockdown will last, the planned start of construction for a million-dollar project is being held. For example, it provides for new pools in the outdoor area. According to managing director Markus Kothe, they are currently waiting for the building permit. The city council also recently approved the project.

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According to Mayor Harald Wendler (Die Linke), the bathroom developed excellently in the years before the pandemic. The shareholders – the city and the district – would stand behind the facility. “And at some point Corona has to stop,” said Wendler. Chairman of the supervisory board and city councilor Uwe Langer (Die Linke) added: “Only a further development can secure the future existence of the bathroom.” Substantial grants were granted by the state for this, which would expire without the construction. An investment of around 7 million euros is planned, of which the Free State provides 80 percent grants. The operating company will take out a loan to finance its own contribution of a good 1.44 million euros. “Everything has to be ready by the end of December 2022,” said Managing Director Markus Kothe. That is given with regard to the subsidy. After construction, there will be three pools for different age groups in the outdoor area. A new slide area is also planned. All of this will be accessible from the bathing hall. An extension with another pool is also to be built – for example for aqua jogging courses. But that is still a long way off, the corona pandemic determines the situation. It is still uncertain when the bathroom will be allowed to reopen.

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