Difficulties encountered at the onset of the outdoor swimming pool season - Challenging kickoff for the outdoor swimming campaign
Berlin's Outdoor Swimming Pools Experience Sluggish Start to 2024 Season
Berlin's outdoor swimming pools have seen a lackluster start to the summer season, with attendance significantly lower than the previous year. The Berlin Baths Operations reported that only 43,541 visitors have come so far, in contrast to the 112,096 who visited during the same period in 2023.
The Baths Operations attribute the low turnout to unfavorable weather conditions, with fewer warm days this May compared to previous years. Last year, the city experienced ten days in May with temperatures exceeding 25 degrees, while this year, only two such days have been recorded. Conversely, there have been 19 days with temperatures below 20 degrees.
Historically, the first month of the summer season draws only about 6% of the total annual visitors. However, the significant drop in attendance from the previous year suggests that other factors may also be at play.
Financial constraints have limited the number of heated pools this year, with only four pools being heated with fossil fuels. The majority of the pools rely on solar heating, which can make the water cold on cloudy days.
Regarding the impact of the new ticket prices on attendance, the Berliner Bäder-Betriebe (BBB) noted that it is too early to draw conclusions about the revenue. They also highlighted that significant discounts and offers are still available for families and early bird bookings.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if the low attendance is a temporary setback or a sign of a larger trend. There are discussions underway about creating swimming areas in the Spree river, which could provide an alternative option for pool-goers in the future. However, these plans are still in the early stages and do not yet factor into the current attendance.
The outdoor pool in Kreuzberg, known as the Prinzenbad, opened on April 30 as the first pool of the season. Additional pools followed, including Am Insulaner, Olympiastadion, Wilmersdorf, Strandbad Wannsee, and Freibad Gropiusstadt. Entrance tickets can be purchased online, with discounts available for families and early bookings. The pool's occupancy level can be checked online to gauge whether there is a need to buy tickets promptly on hot days.
- To combat the decreasing attendance at outdoor swimming pools, collaboration could be established between the city and community policy to introduce programs that attract more visitors, such as vocational training for lifeguards or pool maintenance, fostering a sense of local involvement.
- To complement the outdoor-living lifestyle, perhaps the introduction of science-based welfare programs focusing on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and lifestyle could be integrated into the swimming pool's offerings, catering to the expectations of modern pool-goers.
- While home-and-garden enthusiasts appreciate outdoor living, the creation of beautiful landscaping, plants, and amenities around Berlin's swimming pools may further enhance the overall experience, providing a pleasant environment that encourages exploration and relaxation.
