Zirndorf's Bibertbad pool faces closure as losses hit nearly €3 million annually
Zirndorf's Bibertbad swimming pool is facing a deepening financial crisis, with an annual deficit nearing €3 million. The facility, which plays a key role for local schools, sports clubs and families, now risks closure if no solution is found. Rising costs and falling visitor numbers have pushed the pool into an increasingly precarious position.
Over the past five years, losses have climbed sharply—from €150,000 to around €400,000—while many other Bavarian pools have stabilised or even turned a profit through subsidies and upgrades.
The pool's biggest financial burdens come from personnel expenses (€1.9 million) and surging energy costs (€816,000). Despite its sound infrastructure—with no major structural repairs needed—the facility's future remains uncertain. Technical failures could force a shutdown if funding issues persist.
Bavarian Finance Secretary Martin Schöffel recently visited the site, warning that the current approach is unsustainable. He proposed solutions like stabilisation aid or better-coordinated investment funding, stressing the need for early action. Meanwhile, the CSU faction has put forward a motion to open talks with authorities to keep the pool running.
The Volt party has suggested a different path: a 'citizens' pool initiative.' This plan would involve local residents taking on responsibilities, with volunteers able to register online. The idea aims to spread costs and management more widely across the community.
The pool's importance is hard to overstate. It hosts school swimming lessons, senior fitness sessions, and training for local sports teams. Without intervention, these services could disappear.
If no agreement is reached, Bibertbad may have to close its doors. The pool's fate now rests on whether funding can be secured or alternative models, like the citizens' initiative, gain traction. Local leaders and residents must act quickly to prevent a shutdown that would leave many without a vital community resource.
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