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Heat wave pushes Rahlstedter into the overcrowded outdoor pool – where is the cooling?
Rahlstedt is struggling with outdoor pool closures in extreme heat. New combination bathroom is being built, but falls short of expectations.
Heat wave pushes Rahlstedter into the overcrowded outdoor pool – where is the cooling?
In Hamburg there is a threat of extreme heat on Wednesday with temperatures of up to 35 degrees, and that is exactly when the outdoor swimming pool in the center of Rahlstedt will remain closed. This day of rest is particularly important because Rahlstedt is the most populous district of the Hanseatic city with over 95,000 residents. While other outdoor pools, like the one in Neugraben, have prepared for full operation, things are looking a bit poor for the Rahlstedt residents. Despite heavy demand, jumping into the cool water is still denied because Hamburger Bäderland GmbH has decided not to open the outdoor pool in order to give the staff some well-deserved free time. According to the taz It was examined whether an exception was possible, but those responsible stuck to their decision.
Some Rahlstedt families who want to go swimming with small children often prefer the indoor pool because the new outdoor pool with its five 25-meter lanes is too deep for non-swimmers. Unfortunately, the fun for parents and their little swimmers often looks like a race for limited places. In fact, this small outdoor pool is a popular spot, but often overcrowded. If you're looking to cool off, you only have the option of going to Volksdorf, but traveling with children is inconvenient.
New outdoor pool options in sight
A particularly interesting place in Alpine, which was introduced as part of the heat campaign, is the interactive “Cool Places” map, created by the social authorities, which, however, does not include swimming pools. This map shows where hydration stations and other places to cool off are available throughout the city. In line with this, the proposal to use volunteers for cleaning work in swimming pools is also being discussed in order to alleviate the existing staff shortages.
The situation is not new: In the north-east of Hamburg, several outdoor swimming pools have been lost since the 1980s, for example in Lattenkamp, Ohlsdorf, Dulsberg and Dulsberg. The outdoor swimming pool at Wiesenredder was demolished to make room for apartments. Rahlstedt residents remain hopeful about the new developments, while the current offering on the waterfront remains modest. For fans of visiting the outdoor pool, we can only hope that the new facilities will meet the needs of the residents and that the bathing season can soon be enjoyed again in Rahlstedt.