A survey conducted by the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU) among 113 operators of municipal swimming pools across Germany reveals that pool visits will become more expensive in 2025. According to the survey, 35% of the respondents reported having to increase prices this year. However, the survey suggests that this may not solve the financial problems: 72% of municipal operators of free and indoor pools expect a worsening of financial situations over the next five years, while only 4% anticipate an improvement. Consequently, 16% of respondents are considering closing free or indoor pools in the short or medium term. The survey identifies the shortage of skilled workers, the backlog of maintenance and the lack of financial resources as the main challenges faced by the operators. Two-thirds of the respondents expect that the number of visitors to free and indoor pools will remain similar to last year, with an average of around 75,000 guests per pool, while 27% hope that the demand will increase this year. VKU’s Chief Executive Officer, Ingbert Liebing, sees the survey as a “wake-up call for the federal and state governments.” He asserts that better and better-equipped funding programs are needed to maintain our swimming pools, emphasizing that 1 billion euros is a step in the right direction, as agreed in the coalition agreement between the black-red federal government, which commits to providing at least one billion euros for the modernization and renovation of sports facilities. Liebing highlights that swimming pools are crucial for social cohesion, providing spaces for health, fitness and learning to swim, as well as opportunities for people from all social backgrounds to interact. He emphasizes that these facilities should not be dependent on residents’ location or the municipality’s budget, given the increasing number of children who cannot swim. The VKU CEO urges the federal and state governments to prioritize funding for swimming pools to ensure their maintenance and accessibility for all.
VKU Survey Warns of Financial Crisis
