Sušice will open a swimming pool at the end of the month, aimed at attracting tourists from Šumava.

Sušice (Klatovsko) - The new indoor swimming pool in Sušice, which has been talked about in the eleven-thousand-strong town for 12 years, is completed. The decision on the early use of the building is scheduled for May 15 during the visit of the President of the Republic. It should be operational by the end of May, said Sušice Mayor Petr Mottl (ODS) to ČTK. People from the wide surroundings, including Prague, are moving to Sušice, which is the gateway to the central Šumava.
    The municipality expects good attendance at the new attraction. They heavily rely on its excellent geographical location in central Šumava, which tourists prefer. In winter, it will offer skiers an alternative program in case of bad weather. "Šumava has about one million visitors. If every twentieth one came to us, then along with people from the region, I have no concerns about the economy of the pool," he said. Sušice is twice as large as the nearby Horažďovice and Kdyně, where new pools operate without significant economic problems. The Sušice pool will have an operational advantage due to its connection with the adjacent ice rink. It will utilize the waste heat generated from cooling the ice. Employees will also be shared.
    The operation of the 25-meter swimming pool with a children's pool, paddling pool, slide, wellness area, and counter-current simulating rapids designed for kayakers should not be unprofitable for the city, according to Mottl.
    The total costs will reach approximately 135 million crowns, but not all work has been invoiced yet. "We expanded the wellness area for 11 million crowns. We added whirlpools and counter-currents to make the pool as attractive as possible," noted Mottl. The city finances the construction from its own budget and a loan of up to 90 million crowns. The total amount is not yet finalized; all work has not been invoiced. "The contractor invoices only for completed deliveries and after mutual agreement," he said. The amount of additional costs could rise to a maximum of nine million crowns.
    "After May 15, we will know when we will start the official operation. If the relevant authorities give their consent during the inspection on May 15, then nothing prevents the opening," said the mayor. According to him, only minor details are being finished. Employees have already started work and are undergoing training.
    Sušice, the fifth largest city in the Plzeň Region, will further renovate the outdoor swimming pool near Santos Island for up to 13 million crowns by summer.