According to the assessment, Liberec should close the pool, but the city wants to keep it in operation

Liberec - The closure of the swimming stadium in Liberec due to its poor condition was recommended to the city by the authors of the report from ČVUT in their preliminary report, which will be fully submitted by the end of February. Nevertheless, Liberec wants to keep the pool operational until the planned major reconstruction costing more than 800 million begins, which will be at the earliest next year. According to the operator, which is the municipal company Bazén Liberec, this is possible. The company's managing director Petr Kořínek stated at today's meeting of the Liberec city council that the pool is not in a condition that requires its closure.

"Thanks to daily inspections, we are confident that there is no threat to visitors or employees. We are able to continue operating it," he said. The opposition today unsuccessfully proposed that the city abandon the planned major reconstruction and instead take the route of gradual repairs in stages. According to them, the indebted Liberec does not have the funds for a large modernization costing hundreds of millions.

The Liberec swimming complex, built according to the design of architect Pavel Švancer, has been in operation since 1984. It features three pools including a fifty-meter pool, two waterslides, whirlpools, a slide, saunas, a Kneipp path, and other attractions. The planned modernization is significantly delayed. According to the original plans, the city hall should have completed it several years ago, but it is still in the preparation phase. The reconstruction is, however, essential. Important technological equipment at this sports facility is reaching the end of its lifespan, and the roof leaks. The glazing of the building is also inadequate, and the main pool basin is leaking. Its poor condition is confirmed by the report from ČVUT, whose authors recommended immediate closure of the facility until repairs are made. They estimated that over 140 million crowns would be needed to address the serious faults.

According to Deputy Mayor Ivan Langr (Mayors for the Liberec Region), this is still only a preliminary opinion from the authors of the report. "We do not have the complete report," he said. According to him, they should receive it by the end of February. However, he also mentioned that the city council has already tasked the operator of the pool to prepare a list of the most urgent investments to ensure the operational capability of the swimming complex within a month. The council members voted today that this list should also be submitted to the city council. Langr also stated today that the sports facility has all the necessary legal inspections for its operation, and all conducted analyses of water and air quality are in order.