Referendum on swimming pool “No” vote for the Kurfürstenbad
BONN · The decision came down on Saturday: There will be no renovation of the Kurfürstenbad swimming pool in Bad Godesberg. In the first citizens referendum in the City of Bonn, a close majority of 52 percent voted no to retaining the aged facility.
The Bonn city administration can begin with planning for a new swimming pool in Dottendorf. 350 volunteer workers went through ballots until 4:45 pm on Saturday to make sure all the votes were counted in the citizens referendum to decide whether or not the Kurfürstenbad swimming pool should be retained and renovated.
Lord Mayor Ashok Sridharan announced the results just before 5 pm. “I didn’t think it would be so close,” he said. He had anticipated more “no” votes. Still, he was happy with the end result. It now paves the way for a new swimming pool. Next week on Thursday, a jury of ten will choose three top designs from those submitted by architects.
It is intended that the SWB (city public works) will both build and operate the new swimming pool facility. At the beginning of May, the winning design is expected to be made available to the public. Construction could start at the beginning of 2018. Representatives of the City Sports Association (SSB) and the City Swimming Association said “The better arguments were convincing”.
The majority of Bonn residents had recognized the advantages offered by a new swimming pool in comparison to keeping the Kurfürstenbad, which is in need of renovation. From local political groups, there were varying opinions on the results of the referendum but praise for the high voter participation.
Orig. text: Bettina Kohl, Lisa Inhoffen, Alexander Grantl, Rolf Kleinfeld
