Biebermühle swimming pool remains closed – future in danger!

Biebermühle swimming pool remains closed – future in danger!

A hot topic is currently being tackled in Rodalben: the Biebermühle outdoor pool will remain closed this season. The reason? Lack of staff and urgent structural defects. This decision caused a lot of excitement in Southwest Palatinate, because the popular pool has been a social and cultural center for families, children, young people and senior citizens for almost 100 years. There is great anger over the closure, and many citizens are incomprehensible to those responsible in the local council. Rheinpfalz reports that a special meeting is coming up in September in which the future of swimming will be discussed.

Citizens expressed their lack of understanding in a petition addressed, among others, to the mayor of the association, Wolfgang Denzer. The OpenPetition calls for the creation of a binding time and financing plan for the renovation and reopening of the outdoor swimming pool. The political discussions have not been neglected either: the AfD parliamentary group has submitted seven motions to bring the issue to the fore. So there is a lot at stake and citizens are hoping for quick solutions.

A future plan for the Biebermühle

The renovation costs have risen from the original 3.8 million euros to an impressive 6.3 million euros. So much for the bad news. This means that the federal funding of 1.8 million euros that has been promised for years is in danger of remaining unused, which is unsustainable from the point of view of those who signed the petition. In particular, the fact that the closure of the outdoor swimming pool (meaning) has a major impact on the quality of life in the region is causing people to feel heated. The closure is a loss that should not be underestimated, especially for children and young people whose ability to swim is increasingly suffering.

A nationwide study shows an increase in eight-year-old children who cannot swim from 10% to 20%. It is therefore clear that the baths in Germany, including the Biebermühle, are considered an important cultural asset to ensure the swimming ability of the next generation. Deutschlandfunk mentions that many indoor and outdoor swimming pools in Germany are struggling with closures or reduced opening hours due to a lack of staff. At times there is a shortage of up to 2,500 lifeguards in the industry.

Time is running out

The call to action is clear: In order to return a certain normality to Rodalben as quickly as possible, those who signed the petition are calling for more commitment from politicians. The mayor is requested not to allow the promised funding to expire and to begin renovation measures immediately. The will of the citizens, especially the initiative to recruit skilled personnel, would also have to – finally – be dealt with in accordance with the will of the residents.

For the residents and the many families who will depend on the outdoor pool in the coming years, there is a lot of work ahead of them. Chances of the Biebermühle reopening soon in the summer of 2026 would be a real ray of hope. And that is exactly what will ensure that Rodalben continues to be a beautiful place to live.