From 15 June, Stadtwerke Gießen will open the Westbad for clubs to hold their training sessions here. The opening of the Ringallee outdoor pool is planned for the first week of the summer holidays.
Club sports were not possible for a long time due to the corona-related contact restrictions. Swimmers were hit particularly hard. But they too will soon be able to swim their lengths again. This is because Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) is opening the Westbad to swimming clubs. The first training sessions can start on 15 June.
Of course, strict rules apply for the swimmers. "Over the past few weeks, we have drawn up a hygiene concept for training operations and agreed it with the relevant authorities," explains Uwe Volbrecht, Head of Giessen's swimming pools. It clearly defines how many people are allowed in the swimming pool hall at the same time, as well as in other areas such as the foyer, changing rooms and showers. "This hygiene concept forms the framework for every training session," explains Uwe Volbrecht. The clubs have been presented with this concept and must now develop their own concepts on how to organise training operations in order to comply with these requirements.
Outdoor pool season start in sight
The opening of the Ringallee outdoor pool is now also foreseeable. "We are currently assuming that we will be able to welcome bathers there again in the first week of the summer holidays," announces Uwe Volbrecht.
This date applies to SWG, even though the Hessian state government decided last Wednesday that the pools could reopen at short notice on 15 June. Hygiene concepts are currently being developed for this in consultation with the health authorities. In addition, those responsible at SWG decided at the beginning of the pandemic to use the unscheduled closure to bring forward modernisation and maintenance work. For example, SWG had new, highly efficient circulation pumps installed. "Of course, we now have to complete this work carefully before opening," explains Uwe Volbrecht.
With the opening of the Ringallee outdoor pool, SWG is introducing an innovation: in future, it will be possible to buy admission tickets online. "Our aim is to ensure that as many people as possible come to the pool with tickets in order to minimise crowds in front of the ticket offices," says Uwe Volbrecht, explaining the move. However, online tickets are not only useful in times of coronavirus, but also when there are particularly large numbers of visitors on hot, sunny weekends. Buying tickets online can save long waiting times at the ticket office.