On 20 September, Giessen's swimming pools will open the Ringallee outdoor pool for the last time in 2020 and look back on a season that was special in many respects.
Just eleven weeks long, 78 days to be precise, just over 30,000 visitors, almost twice as many staff as usual - despite good weather conditions, the 2020 season at the Ringallee outdoor pool will end next Sunday, 20 September, with these sad records. Corona has had a dramatic impact on the outdoor pool summer. "We are not really surprised. All of this was already foreseeable when we opened our doors at the beginning of July. But now that the concrete figures are available, it does hurt a little," explains Uwe Volbrecht, Head of Giessen's swimming pools. Compared to the previous year, which was extremely good in a long-term comparison, revenue fell by 70 per cent in 2020.
Nevertheless, Uwe Volbrecht and his dedicated team are not dissatisfied with what they were able to achieve under the prevailing conditions. For example, digitalisation has found its way into the pools. The Giessen pools introduced an online ticket in order to guarantee the corona-related limitation of bathers and, above all, to avoid queues at the ticket office. With great success: "We have sold well over 10,000 tickets via this new sales channel from a standing start," says a delighted Uwe Volbrecht. The decision in favour of the online ticket should also prove to be the right one in the future. This year, the Giessen pools will also be using the system for other offers - for example in the wellness and fitness sector. "Whenever appointments are necessary, online booking offers our pool guests many advantages," announces Uwe Volbrecht.
Light and shade
When Uwe Volbrecht assesses the past few weeks, he speaks of an "ambivalent season". And he doesn't just mean the balance sheet. In fact, everyone involved - bathers and staff alike - were constantly walking an extremely fine line. With the need for safety and the associated hygiene rules on the one hand and carefree leisure activities on the other. Here too, Uwe Volbrecht's conclusion is generally positive: "With a few exceptions, the bathers behaved responsibly in line with the situation, showed understanding, showed consideration for each other and had fun despite everything."
The Giessen pools are planning to deal with the virus for the foreseeable future. In the indoor pools, the current restrictions will remain in place until further notice. "Of course, we are constantly adapting all measures to the current situation," promises Uwe Volbrecht. There will be courses again from October - naturally also under pandemic conditions, i.e. with fewer participants than usual.
In addition, Uwe Volbrecht and his team already have the 2021 outdoor pool season on their radar. The declared aim is to reopen the outdoor pools in Kleinlinden and Lützellinden next summer. "We are currently working on adjusting the staffing levels and organisation so that we can welcome visitors to all outdoor pools next year under coronavirus conditions," adds Uwe Volbrecht.
Up-to-date information on opening times, current restrictions on visitor numbers, courses and more can be found at www.giessener-baeder.de or at www.facebook.com/giessenerbaeder.