Bürgerbad (operator model)
A public swimming pool is an operator model in which citizens, usually with non-commercial intent, run a swimming pool as a public company.
background
In Germany, public swimming pools usually charge entrance fees that are by no means cost-covering. The operating deficit is borne by the respective municipality and represents an economic subsidy . The swimming pools can be operated by the municipalities themselves or by their own companies such as municipal utilities . Alternatively, the municipality can also oversee commercial providers with the operation of the swimming pool and agree on an operating subsidy or operate it jointly as part of a public-private partnership . Finally, the task of swimming pool operation can also be carried out by non-commercial providers. These are predominantly swimming clubs , which then operate the pools as club pools , but there can also be groups of citizens who operate it under the name Bürgerbad.
history
At the end of the 1990s, some cities and municipalities decided to close their existing public swimming pools for reasons of inefficiency (see below). Often committed citizens did not want to accept the closure and decided to run the pool on their own from now on so that schools, associations and the public can continue to swim. With the transfer of the municipal pool operation to an association, a non-profit GmbH or a community foundation, the subsidy requirement of the municipality could be reduced by up to 50 percent.
Examples
- Bürgerbad Vohwinkel (closed on December 15, 2012)
- Elsebad
- Bürgerbad in Handorf (Münster-Handorf)
- BürgerBad in Merzhausen
- Water park in Wennigsen
- Bandmaker Bad Ronsdorf
- Bürgerbad Van Ameren Bad Emden (has existed for over 20 years and does not receive any public subsidies)
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Flyer "Bürgerbad" ( Memento of the original from September 28, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 575 kB) - the initiative NETZWERK.NRW for the establishment of public bath associations.
- ^ WDR report on the founding of the Handorf public baths . The film shows an example of the initial situation and procedure (copy of the film on YOUTUBE).
