Swimming pools in Mödling and Perchtoldsdorf: Break of survival begins!

Swimming pools in Mödling and Perchtoldsdorf: Break of survival begins!

In the communities of Perchtoldsdorf and Mödling, the swimming pools are facing an existential crisis. The financial pressure that the facilities are exposed is growing rapidly. Mayor Andrea Kö (ÖVP) and Silvia Drechsler (SPÖ) urgently warn of possible closures if the situation will not improve soon. Every year, the municipalities invest over 4.5 million euros in the operation of their indoor and outdoor pools. The annual operating exit in Perchtoldsdorf is almost two million euros. The increasing energy prices and wages are the main causes of the cost explosion. Mödling, on the other hand, has difficulty passing on price increases to the bathers to secure the accessibility of the baths.

Another stress factor is the cost of swimming lessons that contributes to financial pressure. The Mödlinger Stadtbad, which comes from the interwar period and is listed, and the leisure center in Perchtoldsdorf, opened in 1979, urgently require renovations. The last comprehensive renovation of the bathrooms was over twenty years ago. In order to improve the condition of the systems, Perchtoldsdorf recently replaced an old tube slide with a modern age. These facilities are not only important for their own community, but also for visitors from neighboring towns.

challenges for the pool landscape

The bathrooms are not only under pressure for financial bottlenecks, but are also faced with challenges with regard to the high energy consumption and necessary CO2 reduction measures. There is a lack of specialists and the municipal households are missing. Mayor Kö therefore calls for new, broader financing models for bathing use in the district. The question of how long communities can bear the financial burdens alone remains uncertain

The situation is not only tense locally. A survey by the Association of Local Companies (VKU), which surveyed 314 operators, shows that the pessimistic atmosphere with regard to indoor pools is further widespread. 46 percent of the operators reported a better season 2023 compared to the previous year, while 27 percent of the baths experienced a deterioration. The biggest challenges remain the shortage of skilled workers and the renovation -related state of many indoor pools.

political support and the future outlook

The survey also revealed that almost two thirds of the bathroom operators want stronger political support. The federal program "Refurbishment of municipal institutions", which is available for 2023/2024, has been significantly shortened, and there is uncertainty about the continuation of the funding program in 2025. Despite these challenges, 89 percent of the outdoor pool operators have the view of a similar or better number of visitors in 2024.

The condition of the outdoor pools is encouraging overall, since 16 percent are freshly renovated and 49 percent only require slight repairs. Nevertheless, around 35 percent of the outdoor pools have to be renovated extensively over the next five years, a concern that 56 percent of operators are considered difficult, in particular due to insufficient funding and increased construction costs. Some bathrooms already rely on AI-supported video surveillance to support the staff, but the legal situation remains unclear and requires clear legal regulations.

The location of the municipal baths is of considerable importance for society. They not only offer opportunities for leisure activities, but also for social interaction and sporting activities. The coming months will be decisive to find new solutions for future financing and preservation of the baths.

For more information on the challenges of municipal baths, please visit OE24, vku or VKU-renovation of municipal facilities .