The final decision on building a new swimming hall in Växjö is imminent, officials have confirmed, but nothing has been decided yet about the future of the current swimming hall when a new one is built. This leaves the fate of the longstanding facility uncertain as plans advance.
The current swimming hall at Växjösjön began construction in 1968 and was inaugurated four years later. Its architect was Åke E Lindqvist, who had designed swimming halls in several places in the Stockholm area. An adventure pool was added to the current swimming hall in 2004, with the idea originating from 11-year-old Daniel Farsi, who drew it in school and his teacher submitted it to the municipality. Daniel Farsi was the first to swim in the adventure pool at age 16. The addition also included a teaching pool with a raiseable and lowerable bottom, as well as spaces for a gym.
A political debate has emerged over whether to retain the current hall as a pool. Pernilla Wikelund, a member of the municipal executive board from the Sweden Democrats, wants the current swimming hall to be retained as a family pool. In contrast, Malin Lauber, chair of the municipal executive board from the Social Democrats, says no to retaining the current swimming hall as a pool. The municipal leadership wants the current building to become a public operation with a cultural focus.
The new swimming hall in Bäckaslöv will contain all the parts that are lost when the current swimming hall closes, according to Malin Lauber. The current hall's features, including the adventure pool and teaching pool, are set to be replaced in the new facility.
Alternative proposals and concerns about construction impacts have surfaced. The Center Party in Växjö and Alvesta does not want to see a construction site in central Växjö for many years. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats and Left Party want to investigate the possibilities of building a new swimming hall on the parking lot next to Systembolaget in Majorna. The municipality is reconsidering so that in the future it will be possible to cycle next to the swimming hall construction at Rosenlund.