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Bad Vilbel: Mega-Therme slows down - citizens should be patient!
Bad Vilbel is planning to build a new thermal bath and a sports pool from 2026 in order to improve spa operations and overnight accommodation.
Bad Vilbel: Mega-Therme slows down - citizens should be patient!
A significant transformation is imminent in Bad Vilbel: The planned thermal baths should not only enrich the city's leisure activities, but also help to revitalize the spa business. Klaus Minkel, managing director of Stadtwerke Bad Vilbel, recently presented the plans and expects construction of the municipal sports and indoor swimming pool to begin in spring 2026. At the same time, construction of the thermal baths could start in the first half of 2026.
But the preparations are not going completely smoothly. The start of construction on the thermal baths was postponed several times for reasons such as necessary plan changes, which affected, among other things, the testing of geothermal energy and brine water. Minkel sees these changes as sensible in order to ensure the economic viability of the project and emphasizes: “We are close to the goal, I ask the citizens for patience.” A separate planning application for the indoor and sports pool was submitted in order to minimize waiting times for the population. The building permit for the municipal pool is expected at the end of January 2026, and construction is expected to take around 15 months.
Development of the thermal bath project
The thermal baths were announced in 2019, but since then there have been repeated delays. The new complex is intended to help increase the number of overnight stays in Bad Vilbel from the current 120,000 to an impressive 500,000 per year. Minkel emphasizes that the thermal baths should make an important contribution to securing the “spa” label for the city. The spa business in Bad Vilbel is currently poorly developed - with only a few outpatient treatments.
The response to the Mega-Therme concept varies. Criticism of the plans is seen, among other things, as motivated by party politics. However, Minkel emphasizes that culture always causes costs and that the utilization of the existing Vilco can be continuously improved. Events such as concerts and theater series in the Vilco are currently well attended. This shows that cultural life in Bad Vilbel is lively.
What other thermal baths offer
Another example is the Dallas Thermal Baths, considered one of the most significant private investments in the history of South Dallas. Collaboration with the community is emphasized here to ensure that local businesses also benefit from the economic effects. Similar approaches could also be useful for Bad Vilbel in order to gain broader support for the thermal baths project.
Finally, it remains to be seen how the plans will develop and whether the Bad Vilbel thermal baths will actually bring about the promised changes. The anticipation is great and the city definitely has a lot to offer!