The mega job is done: the public swimming pool De Slagen in Schoonebeek has been extensively renovated and is ready for years to come. The reopening took place today.
The municipality of Emmen started last May with the renovation of the indoor swimming palace. In total, an amount of 1.7 million euros has been earmarked for the much-needed sustainability of the 45-year-old building. Poor insulation and high energy consumption plagued the building.
According to project leader Martin Hölscher, a large number of measures have therefore been implemented, such as the installation of a new air handling unit, facade renewal, insulation, new window frames and the installation of LED lighting and solar panels. “Condensation has had an effect on the building. When heating is done inside, vapor is formed. When we removed the facade panels, we saw rot everywhere.” The plating has been replaced and a completely new roof construction has been installed on top of the swimming pool.
Before the installation of the new air-conditioning system, the odor of chlorine still predominated upon entry. Hölscher: “Swimming pool and entrance are now separated from each other thanks to the new system.”
The municipality also removed asbestos from the walls and provided the changing rooms, the entrance hall and the paddling pool with new, wooden ceilings.
Thanks to all the measures taken, power consumption has been reduced by half. But the municipality would like to press ahead and is considering installing a water pump as the next step. “In this way we are less dependent on gas and we can become almost energy neutral.”
The design of the swimming pool still exudes the atmosphere of the seventies of the last century. This is partly addressed by completely renewing the entrance with wooden cladding on the walls and a completely new floor. A new counter and a planter are also part of this. This job will be carried out during the upcoming summer closure.
De Slagen is one of three public swimming pools in the municipality of Emmen, next to the Aquarena in Emmen and the Neptunusbad in Klazienaveen. That last bath also awaits a thorough makeover.
According to Hölscher, research into the necessary interventions is still ongoing. This is expected to start next year.