"Glaring Inequality" - City of Kaltennordheim Criticizes Bathroom Transformation Fund
The town of Neumünster has slammed a draft bill that excludes its outdoor swimming pool from state funding. Officials argue the proposal unfairly favours indoor facilities, leaving municipalities like theirs without financial support. The criticism comes as Thuringia’s budget committee prepares to finalise the legislation in late 2024.
Neumünster’s mayor, Erik Thürmer, has called the Swimming Pool Transformation Fund deeply unjust. He condemned the bill’s tiered funding system, describing it as confusing and seemingly tailored to benefit specific towns. The mayor also pointed out that subsidies for indoor pools have been changed repeatedly, with no clear logic behind the adjustments.
The draft legislation ignores outdoor pools entirely, despite their operators facing similar financial pressures. Neumünster’s *Schwimmbad an der Schulstraße*, used solely for school swimming lessons, was excluded from subsidies under the new rules. Thürmer argued this violates the principle of equal treatment, as both indoor and outdoor pools serve public needs. The town is now demanding a complete overhaul of the bill. Officials insist all municipalities should receive fair funding, regardless of whether they run an indoor or outdoor facility. Without changes, Neumünster and others like it will continue to miss out on vital financial aid.
The dispute highlights growing frustration among local governments over unequal funding policies. Neumünster’s pool, like others across the region, remains at risk of financial strain unless the legislation is revised. The state’s final decision on the bill is expected before the end of 2024.
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