The final decision on building a new swimming pool in Växjö is imminent, according to officials. Swimming will no longer be possible in the current swimming pool, Malin Lauber, chair of the municipal executive board, confirmed. The first groundbreaking for the new cold-water bathhouse at Växjö sjö will happen soon.
A sharp political debate has emerged over the future of swimming facilities. Pernilla Wikelund, a member of the municipal executive board from the Sweden Democrats, wants the current swimming pool to be retained as a family pool. Malin Lauber, representing the Social Democrats, says no to retaining the current swimming pool as a family pool. Pernilla Wikelund wants the entire process for the new swimming pool in Bäckaslöv to be paused and plans scaled down. Malin Lauber says it is too late to change plans for the new swimming pool in Bäckaslöv. The new swimming pool in Bäckaslöv will contain all the parts that will be lost when the current swimming pool closes, she added.
The current swimming pool at Växjösjön has a rich history. It was built starting in 1968 and inaugurated four years later. The architect behind the current swimming pool was Åke E Lindqvist, who had designed swimming pools in several places in the Stockholm area. An adventure pool was added to the current swimming pool in 2004. The idea for the adventure pool came from 11-year-old Daniel Farsi, who drew it in school and his teacher submitted it to the municipality. Daniel Farsi, at age 16, was the first to swim in the adventure pool. The addition also included a teaching pool with a raiseable and lowerable bottom, and spaces for a gym.
Future plans for the current building remain partially undefined. The municipal leadership plans to use the current building for a public operation with a cultural focus, Malin Lauber stated. There is no set date for when a decision on the future use of the current swimming pool building will be announced.
Local opposition highlights alternative spending priorities. The Center Party in Växjö and Alvesta does not want to see a construction site in central Växjö for many years. In Åtvidaberg, the sports hall is worn and in need of renovation. Marika Nilsson from Åtvidaberg prefers that the municipality spend money on renovating the sports hall rather than on a new swimming pool.
Broader regional developments add to the uncertainties. The Social Democrats and Left Party in Göteborg want to investigate the possibilities of building a new swimming pool on the parking lot next to Systembolaget in Majorna. This could mean a smaller swimming pool than planned. The municipality in Jönköping is reconsidering to allow cycling next to the swimming pool construction in Rosenlund.