Nuremberg Closes Indoor Pools: How Serious Is The Situation?

Nuremberg must save energy. That’s why the city closes most of its indoor pools in summer. What’s next? And what does that mean for employees?

children splashing around; parents chatting; Hobby swimmers training. Actually, it would be very busy here in the Nordostbad. But instead of screeching there is silence, instead of cooling there is emptiness. The energy crisis has arrived in Nuremberg.

“Closed” is written on a sign on the front door of the Nordostbad – and it will stay that way throughout the summer for the time being. As in the other two municipal indoor pools, in Katzwang and Südstadt; only the Langwasser indoor pool remains open in August. The reason for the drastic measure: save energy. The city leaders see themselves forced to do this in view of the energy crisis caused by the Ukraine war. The news caused a nationwide stir on Friday.

“We want to send a signal during the crisis,” explains Joachim Lächele, the second plant manager of the municipal company NürnbergBad. Baths are very energy intensive. The closures are now your contribution to ensure full energy storage in winter, he says.

Most of the bathrooms are heated with district heating. “And if there is no more gas, then less district heating,” explains Lächele. Those responsible are examining alternative energy supply options, such as photovoltaic systems or solar thermal systems on the roofs. That should help us make ourselves more independent.