The City Council of Desenzano del Garda has recently approved the inclusion of the project for the new municipal swimming pools in the Multi-Year Public Works Plan. This step will allow the launch of a public tender for the assignment of a public-private partnership, which will involve the municipality and a group of companies in the design, construction, and long-term management of the new facility.
The approval comes nearly a year after the closure of the old swimming pools, an event that caused significant inconvenience to the local community. According to projections, the construction work will take about three years, meaning that residents of Desenzano will only be able to use the swimming facilities in the medium term.
**Project Details**
The new facility, with an estimated cost of over 20 million euros, will feature a competitive swimming pool with a constant depth of 1.8 meters, a children’s pool of 55 m², and a 150 m² spa area. These design choices aim to optimize consumption and reduce management costs, although some features have been scaled down compared to the previous structure.
Among the design elements, there is a reduction in the space around the pool and the elimination of large grandstands, replaced by removable seating for about 60 spectators. The outdoor areas will also undergo significant transformation, with the replacement of the 50-meter Olympic pool with a water park.
**Criticism of the Project**
The Democratic Party council group in Desenzano has expressed strong criticism regarding the project and the decision-making process. One of the main points of contention is the timing: council members received the technical documentation only ten days before the vote, making thorough analysis difficult.
Some of the issues raised include:
– **Reduced space for ancillary activities:** The reduction of space around the pool may hinder warm-up activities and other complementary swimming activities.
– **Children’s pool:** The new children’s pool has been significantly downsized compared to the past, with only one pool of 55 m² instead of the previous 115 m².
– **Economic accessibility:** The proposed rates, such as 9 euros for entry to free swimming, are higher than those at nearby facilities. Additionally, the lack of discounts for residents has been highlighted.
– **Limited use of the competitive pool:** The reduced depth of the pool may limit the ability to host competitions and specialized activities such as diving.
According to city councilor Andrea Spiller from the Democratic Party, “the project risks transforming a facility of excellence into a basic structure, lacking features that could attract users.”
Italian Version
