Opposition criticizes information policy Vote passes for new swimming pool in Dottendorf
Bonn · Construction of the Wasserland swimming pool in Dottendorf has been approved by the city council despite some opposition. The decision affects two older swimming pools in Bonn.
In an emotional debate about a possible new swimming pool in Dottendorf, the city council voted in favor of the swimming facility in their final decision. A coalition of the CDU, Greens and FDP political parties carried the vote with 47 in favor of building the new pool to 31 votes against it. The decision affects two other swimming pools in Bonn; it means an end for the Kurfürstenbad pool and the Frankenbad pool.
Opposition wanted to delay decision
The opposition had tried in vain to adjourn the meeting, with SPD parliamentary leader Bärbel Richter saying there were too many open questions. An assessment of the renovation costs for the Frankenbad and the Kurfürstenbad had been sent to the political fractions only on Tuesday by the city administration. Information from the Bureau of Finance was only made available on Thursday.
Richter said, “It is irresponsible to expect a decision on this today.” Marcel Schmitt of the Bürger Bund Bonn (Citizens of Bonn - BBB) criticized the “high risks” and “unclear financial conditions,” saying one shouldn’t issue a “blank check.” The Left party faction head, Michael Faber said that the council needs to seriously examine the new information. He asked for a secret vote to adjourn the meeting but members voted against this request. The coalition in favor of the pool also squashed a BBB proposal for a citizen vote on the matter.
Klaus-Peter Gilles, chairman of the CDU parliamentary faction, defended the project, which was exceptionally well prepared. "Years of disagreement has only led to today's problems with the swimming pools," he explained. The opposition is only looking for ways to stop the building of a new pool. Brigitta Poppe-Reiners (Greens) emphasized: "Our group is looking forward to the new family swimming pool facility."
Subsidy requirement increases
The Bureau of Finance informed of the tax model for the Wasserland pool, providing details of how that would look like. The subsidy requirement for the pool would increase by 70,000 euros per year to a total of 2.89 million euros annually, according to the city administration. In contrast, the renovation of the two older swimming pools, the Kurfürstenbad and Frankenbad would have cost 28.7 million euros altogether, according to a report provided to the city. (Orig. text: Andreas Baumann, Lisa Inhoffen. Translation: ck)
