The roof of the pool in Jablonec is in critical condition, repair is being planned

Jablonec nad Nisou - The roof of the swimming pool in Jablonec nad Nisou is in a state of emergency, and preparations for its reconstruction are underway. The city also wants to solve the problem with the inadequate glazing of the pool, which has insufficient thermal insulation properties. The costs for the necessary repairs are estimated at 18 to 20 million crowns excluding VAT, and they should be carried out as soon as possible, said the deputy mayor of Jablonec, Miloš Vele (ODS), to ČTK.

The roof reconstruction is urgently needed. "The roofing no longer holds on the wooden formwork because it is partially rotten and damaged by chlorine vapors," Vele said. The second problem that the pool has been facing for years is the glazing, which is a relic from the time it was built. "The glazed portals have inadequate insulation properties, so heat escapes, and people sitting near the glass feel cold. It is planned that a new glass partition will be built from appropriately high-quality materials," he added.

The city would like to ensure the reconstruction as soon as possible. "The roof needs to be repaired every other month, which generates additional costs for us," Vele said. According to him, the reconstruction and insulation of the roof and the construction of the partition wall will also improve thermal comfort in the pool and reduce heating costs. According to Milan Matura, the managing director of the city company Sport Jablonec, which operates the pool, the project includes covering the external terrace. "It will actually create a greenhouse that preserves the view outside and additionally allows the creation of an outdoor restaurant seating area for the sunny meadow," Matura added. However, he would prefer to wait for the scheduled closure of the pool next summer for the repairs.

The Jablonec swimming pool was opened to the public in 1987 and underwent an expensive reconstruction costing one hundred million crowns in 2002. The complex includes a 25-meter pool with eight lanes, which is used not only by the public but also by sports teams. For children, there is a children's pool with a paddling area, a splash fountain, and a water mushroom, as well as a new slide. The recreational pool with artificial waves, a massage bench, a water curtain, a wild river, and two waterslides is very popular. Last year, more than 150,000 people visited the pool. "Attendance has declined in recent years, and the reason is the increasing competition," Matura noted.

In order for the 30-year-old complex to meet the needs of current visitors, Sport Jablonec wants to modernize and expand the pool. "Previous reconstructions did not address the old pool hall or the changing rooms and sanitary facilities, and that is what hurts us the most today," Matura said. The plan, costing around 130 million crowns, also includes the construction of a second covered 25-meter pool, which would allow for separating recreational and competitive swimming. "Once, there was consideration for an outdoor pool; however, under the conditions of foothill Jablonec, that is not a good idea. However, everything is still just a plan," he added.