The return to traditional swimming pools, popular especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, allows, among other things, the improvement of water quality in the Vltava and people’s interest in natural swimming pools.
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“The idea to create a swimming pool on the Vltava was gradually formed thanks to a visit to several European cities such as Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna, where similar projects operate,” said one of the co-owners of the swimming pool, David Boháč.
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The swimming pool in Štvanice operated from the beginning of the 20th century until the floods in 2002. It has been restored since today. In the meantime, however, it is likely to operate in a limited temporary mode until mid-September. “Sunbeds, toilets, showers and a bar are now available to visitors, which is open daily from 2 pm to 10 pm,” added Jan Faltys, the second co-owner of the Štvanice swimming pool. The swimming pool will be operated by Baden Baden.
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This is what the final form of the swimming pool in Štvanice should look like.
According to Faltys, the first official swimming season in Štvanice should start in 2021. A sandy beach, a paddling pool for children, a sports ground and a pier should be created on the site, which will be used for sunbathing and cultural purposes.
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Until now, Žluté lázně was the only swimming pool in Prague. These were founded on the former raft berth by the Družstvo říční lázně (Spa River Spa in 1910). The spa was rebuilt in June 2005, when the center opened with a grassy beach, refreshments and many sports facilities.
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The tradition of swimming in the Vltava has a long history in Prague. The first was the Military Swimming Pool founded in 1809, which was built on a retired ship anchored on the banks of the Na Františku. The second was the famous Civic Swimming Pool built in 1839 and 1840. Other swimming pools were, for example, in Žofín, under Vyšehrad, under Barrandov, near Charles Bridge or on Slovanský ostrov.
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The reason for the former declining popularity of swimming pools was the increasing pollution of the Vltava. However, water quality in Czech rivers has significantly improved in recent years.
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In Liberec as during the First Republic
But Prague is not the only city that continues the tradition of public swimming pools. After years of decay, the Forest Swimming Pool began to function in Liberec. The previous city government began its restoration, and the current one entrusted the space to the Liberec progressive architectural studio Mjölk for five years. Although in this case the term “progressive” may seem like a minor contradiction. The forest swimming pool, which is to include a sauna, for example, intends to continue the best swimming traditions of the First Republic. The forest swimming pool situated in Lidové sady was opened in 1935.
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In the new era, after years of discussions, the Forest Swimming Pool at the foot of the Jizera Mountains was put into operation in the summer of 2017, before it was closed, it fell into disrepair since 2001. However, the previous two seasons were not successful for the swimming pool created more than 70 years ago. The problems were with the lack of water, which should be prevented by a new well, there was also no facilities.
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The Liberec Forest Swimming Pool wants to continue the First Republic swimming tradition.
“We would like to make a nice romantic swimming pool in Liberec,” said Jan Vondrák, architect and chairman of the Lesní koupaliště association. According to him, this was also the reason why they decided to rent the city swimming pool. “We are active in Liberec and we do a lot of things that do not make full financial sense, but we like to develop the environment in which we live. So we felt sorry that the area of the swimming pool is so unfinished. “
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The association wants to raise money to improve the area through foundations, grants or sponsors. “The plan for this year is to launch a stand that is there. In the future, we would exchange it for something nicer. And we would like to make facilities for people. Benches, functional shower, changing room. We will see what we achieve with the money we get, “said Vondrák.
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The swimming pool should also have toilets that have been missing there for the past two seasons. According to Vondrák, they want to cooperate with other people and institutions in improving the area. “We addressed groups that are active around the swimming pool. That means Dukla Liberec, the hardy people who go there, and Sokol, “he named.
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The fact that the Forest Swimming Pool in Liberec is a big hit is proved by the results of Liberec’s first “participatory budget”. Which, translated into “human language”, means something like this: The people of Liberec could vote with their voice on where part of the money from the city budget would go.
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The ideal future appearance according to the architects from the Mjölk study.
3422 inhabitants of the city took part in the voting. Money from the so-called participatory budget will be distributed by Liberec among 12 projects for a total of 4.8 million crowns. “The greatest support was given to the creation of leisure and sports facilities at the Forest Swimming Pool,” said municipal officials. Specifically, there are 1127 votes.
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Thus, 890,000 crowns should go to improving the facilities at the Forest Swimming Pool. The money in the complex will create a playground for beach ball games, a workout playground and a prefabricated wooden building with facilities, which will be supplemented in the future with changing rooms, toilets and warehouses.
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The primary source of water for the swimming pool is the Jizerský stream. As already mentioned, a new water well has also been completed, which can be used for gradual admission in the event of an emergency.
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