Klatovy is preparing to expand the swimming pool with a relaxation area

Photo: Ondřej Koníček

Klatovy - Klatovy are preparing for the modernization and expansion of the swimming pool. The facility in the second largest city of the Plzeň Region currently offers only a pool with swimming lanes, a children's pool, and a sauna. However, the town hall would like to enhance the offerings to attract more visitors, especially families with children. Therefore, it is planning to add attractions such as a slide, counter-current currents, and similar features, said Mayor Rudolf Salvetr (ODS) to ČTK.
The city had planned an aquapark about six years ago for up to 150 million crowns, but since it did not secure sufficient funding, it abandoned the project. The current proposal estimates an investment of around 40 to 50 million, and the city will also attempt to obtain a grant for it. However, it intends to proceed with its own resources as well.
The proposals anticipate that a new extension will be created on the southern side of the pool, which is heavily affected by weather conditions and requires repairs. In it, there should be a water world with the exit of a slide, a counter-current, a cave, and other attractions, as well as a sauna world with several types of sauna. The small pool for the youngest children is also set to be modernized. Based on the representatives' proposals, there is consideration of changing the water treatment technology to a chlorine-free method known as ionization.
"We have six 25-meter lanes, which are not available anywhere in the vicinity. There is still a relatively large group of people who want to use the lanes for swimming, the water rescue service trains there, and so do competitive swimmers," said the mayor.
The representatives have already discussed the new form of the pool, and the city wants to clarify the requirements for the new form by mid-May. If the representatives approve them, the project will begin preparation.
Neighboring towns in the Plzeň Region are also investing in their pools. Although they are among the most visited destinations in the cities, the town halls mostly subsidize their operations. This year, Horažďovice in the Klatovy area began the reconstruction of an aquapark for 14.5 million crowns. In Sušice, construction of a new pool worth more than 110 million crowns has begun, and Domažlice has been renovating and improving its pool in phases for several years according to its capabilities. The pool in Plzeň also has a study for a complete renovation at a cost of a quarter billion crowns. The facility, which welcomes nearly 600,000 visitors each year, has been in operation since 1986. The city repairs a portion of it every year.