The legendary Pasienky swimming pool is returning

The Pasienky municipal swimming pool, the only 50-metre swimming pool in the capital, has undergone extensive reconstruction and modernisation. This has not only made it look better, but has also made its operation much more economical and environmentally friendly. What is most important, however, is that Bratislava residents are getting a swimming pool worthy of a 21st century city and will again have better conditions for sports, both amateur and professional.

The Pasienky Municipal Swimming Pool has long been among the favourite sports venues of Bratislava residents, but it is also irreplaceable for the sport of swimming throughout Slovakia.

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Reconstruction of the swimming pool began in the summer of 2023. It was originally supposed to be only a partial restoration of the surfaces around the pool. During the work, however, the literally emergency condition of the most important swimming pool technologies was revealed. Therefore, the decision was made to launch a much more comprehensive reconstruction and modernisation of the entire swimming pool. This was mainly related the “heart” of the swimming pool, i.e., the pool technology from the 1970s, which was in a really bad condition and which, after 50 years of continuous operation, simply needed to be replaced.

“Investments were made especially in new technologies, filtration, and the necessary equipment. As a result, we will now use fewer chemicals for the production of pool water, and the consumption of electricity and wastewater will also decrease. Thus, the only 50-metre indoor pool in our city will be more energy-efficient, safer, and more comfortable. Simply put, we will have a modern swimming pool worthy of a 21st century city,” explained the director of STaRZ, Ladislav Križan.

At the same time, during the reconstruction, the whole interior of the 50-metre pool hall was replaced, including the tiles, paving, a multimedia board, and an extension for storing the swimming lane ropes and water polo gates and the location of the operations office. The windows were also replaced, and the leaks in the walls and roof were fixed. The swimming pool building also has a new grandstand made of large-format tiles, and the original outdated plastic seats have been replaced. A smaller hall with a 25-metre pool is also being renovated.

Since the building is a city landmark, the reconstruction was carried out in line with modern trends, but also in the spirit of preserving the original intention of architect Kamil Kosman. The work was supervised by his son, architect René Kosman.

“For us it is very important that Bratislava residents have better conditions for sports. Both for amateurs and professionals, both on land and in the water. Therefore, I am very pleased that after a demanding reconstruction, we can once again welcome swimmers, sports clubs, and the general public to Pasienky in more modern and safer premises. The Pasienky municipal swimming pool has long been an important part of Bratislava’s sports infrastructure, and I believe that visitors will value its improvements and enjoy it to the fullest,” concluded Matúš Vallo, the mayor of the capital.

“I am very happy that Pasienky is reopening to the public after the necessary reconstruction. I can only praise the employment of new technologies that reduce the use of chemicals in the water and protect both the health of visitors and the environment. As a municipality, Nové Mesto has the most sports facilities in Slovakia, and from now on, our residents will also have a truly modern swimming facility with a 50-metre swimming pool for sports or recreational use,” said the mayor of the Bratislava-Nové Mesto district, Matúš Čupka.

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The Pasienky municipal swimming pool will be open to the public from 15 March. On 26 March, the celebration of the 50th birthday of this legendary swimming pool will take place here and will include a 24-hour swimming marathon, a rich accompanying programme, music, as well as a bathrobe party.