Half a million liters of water: this new swimming pool is ready for the first splash

Everything starts underground. First of all, a large hole must be dug out, after which the concrete floor is poured. This is more than just a layer of gray cement, it is the solid foundation on which everything else is built. The tighter and flatter the floor, the better the walls fit.

“That concrete container must of course be 100 percent waterproof,” says Richard. “So the concrete is poured very carefully and to measure. Then you fill it with water to see if there are any leaks anywhere. That is the moment of truth, the first milestone.”

Then you get the finishing touch, in this case the tiles. “Of course you want those tiles to still be in place in fifty years’ time, so we are really investing in that,” says the director.

To fill the pool you need 500,000 liters of water. And that is not simply a matter of turning on a tap. Everything is done with careful management, a process that takes weeks. “Every day a layer of five centimeters is added,” Richard explains. “Half a million water equals half a million kilos. The concrete will work with such a huge amount, and that is allowed, but it must be done gradually.”

In addition, it is important that you fill the bath with water that has almost the same temperature as the concrete. It may only deviate three degrees. “If you don’t do that, a thermal shock will occur, which can cause the concrete to crack or deform. And then you really have a big problem.”

The Albatros is an official four-lane competition pool, so in addition to relaxing floating and crawling, competitions will soon also be swum in it. “The pool must be exactly 25 meters,” Richard emphasizes. “So not one centimeter shorter or longer. If it is 24 meters and 999 millimeters, then it is rejected. The Dutch swimming association was here last week to measure the swimming pool exactly. They also check the light intensity and whether the distribution of the light is good.”

The acoustics of the room also received plenty of attention. Sound-absorbing materials have been incorporated into the walls and roof to limit reverberation. “This must be minimal, especially for teachers who teach swimming lessons,” says Richard. “Otherwise the echo will drive you crazy.”

The new swimming pool in Eersel is what they call in professional language a ‘very quiet pool’. Not only are the acoustics correct, the water also hardly sloshes. “It’s all about the right slope of the gutter. It drains the water tightly in one line, without acceleration or deceleration.”

Every three to four hours, every drop of water makes a circuit through the installation with filter. “The water flows through the gutters to a large concrete tank, where it sinks through a thick layer of sand with different grains. Then comes the quality check: is there enough chlorine, is the pH value correct? (the acidity, editors). Only when everything is in order does the clear water flow back into the bath.”

The secret to a construction project that is completed on time and within budget? “Execute exactly what is on the drawing, and not compromise on quality. We hired consultants who monitored it every week.” Superfluous? Certainly not, says Pellikaan’s director. “Absolutely nothing can go wrong with this. We can replace a lamp, but the basis of this project simply has to be good.”

Upon completion, with a symbolic handover of the keys to councilor Eric Beex of Eersel, an inflatable pelican floated – very appropriately – in the water. “That’s our calling card,” Richard winks.