The modernization of the pool in Liberec will begin at the earliest in January 2024 and will last for two years

Liberec – The modernization of the municipal swimming stadium in Liberec, prepared since 2015 with an estimated cost of nearly 1.5 billion crowns including VAT, will not begin until January 2024 at the earliest. Compared to initial expectations, the construction period will be six months longer; Petr Židek stated during today's project presentation that the modernization will take two years. The facility will be completely closed during this time. The 25-meter pool in the annex will also not be operational, as the city council had originally planned.

According to Židek, partially maintaining the operation of the facility would extend the reconstruction by another ten months, and it would also be necessary to revise the project again beforehand. According to him, this would delay the start of the modernization by another year and a half. A representative of one swimming club mentioned at today's meeting that this step would deprive 1,100 swimmers, from beginners to representatives, of two years of swimming. "I understand what you are saying. However, I see this as the fastest and simplest solution," said Židek. He also promised that the city would seek to assist the swimming clubs in ensuring a replacement pool in another city, including transportation. However, according to some participants at today's meeting, the availability of nearby pools from Liberec is almost zero.

The Liberec swimming facility on Tržní náměstí dates back to the mid-1980s. The complex includes three pools, including a 50-meter pool, two toboggans, whirlpools, a slide, saunas, a Kneipp path, and other attractions. The sports facility is in urgent need of repair - essential technological equipment is near the end of its life, and the roof leaks. The glazing of the building is also inadequate, and the main pool's basin is leaking. Last year, the pool had over 460,000 visitors.

The plan is for a complete reconstruction of the facility. "From the current state, only the skeleton will remain; we are making a completely new pool," stated project designer Tomáš Mrázek at today's meeting. Even after the reconstruction, the complex should remain in the spirit of the original architecture with the typical red mosaic and white ceramic tiles. The most noticeable change after the reconstruction will be that there will not be separate changing rooms for men and women on the ground floor, but one large barrier-free changing room in the basement of the building. The wellness area will be newly located where the current women's changing rooms are, and fitness will now be in the place of the men's changing rooms. Besides the pools, only the restaurant will remain in its place. Židek anticipates that due to the modernization, the facility will save about a third on energy costs annually, which at today's prices would mean 15 million crowns per year.

According to Židek, they would like to start selecting the company that will carry out the pool reconstruction this June. He expects the competition to last about six months, and the city would like to hand over the construction site to the selected company next January or February. "The construction period is anticipated to be 24 months," added the deputy. According to him, the construction will be financed by the city from its budget, a new loan, and grants, which the city intends to apply for.