By Birgit Bürkner, Katja Colmenares and Sebastian Kayser
According to a recent study, around twenty percent of children between the ages of six and twelve cannot swim, twice as many as five years ago. A small swimming pool in Zehlendorf makes a great contribution to making even the youngest fit for the water. Now it is to be demolished.
Huge outrage in southwest Berlin. Around 100 swimming courses with more than 1000 participants are about to end! The operating company Primavita received notice of termination from the state-owned Berliner Immobilienmanagement (BIM) as of December 31, 2023.
Affected: Offers for babies to get used to water, daycare swimming times, beginner courses for children, as well as aquafit programs for seniors.
The small swimming pool on Teltower Damm is the only one in Berlin with an adjustable lifting floor Photo: Ufuk Ucta
“It’s a super catastrophe,” says trainer Daniela Theile (51), from the German Life Saving Society (DLRG). “We can’t catch the many non-swimmers now.”
The property is part of the special assets of the State of Berlin. The Senate Education Administration is planning a new building with a canteen for multi-purpose use here on Teltower Damm for the neighboring John F. Kennedy School.
The swimming pool can no longer be economically renovated and operated. Therefore, it should be demolished, according to a spokesman. The day care center in the building complex will be retained.
Swimming Olympic champion and world champion Britta Steffen (39) to the BZ: “Swimming pools usually only cost and bring no income. It’s a pity that you lose another opportunity to do a seahorse course or something similar or to do something for the older ones.”