New motion by the SPD city council group to sell the municipal swimming pool: the funding foundation objects, the city rejects it

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As part of this year’s budget negotiations for the City of Leipzig’s 2027/2028 two-year budget, the Leipzig SPD parliamentary group has once again proposed the sale of the Stadtbad. It estimates the potential proceeds from the sale at 5 million euros and argues, amongst other things, that “it would require annual municipal subsidies even whilst in operation”.

However, this renewed push immediately prompted a response from the funding foundation. Based on its findings to date, the foundation considers these assumptions to be neither plausible nor sufficiently substantiated, and is calling for an objective review of the underlying calculations.

For 20 years, the Leipziger Stadtbad Support Foundation has been campaigning for the preservation and revitalisation of this cultural monument. This is its original purpose as a foundation. The fact that the people of Leipzig also love their Stadtbad is demonstrated by the consistently high visitor numbers at guided tours, Open Monument Day and the many events whose proceeds benefit the Stadtbad.

Since the city council’s decision in 2021, which overturned the earlier resolution to sell the building, several studies on its refurbishment and operation have been carried out. The refurbishment costs are now estimated at just under 80 million euros.

“We are aware of the difficult budgetary situation facing the City of Leipzig and the considerable challenges involved in a refurbishment. This is precisely why we need an objective discussion based on reliable figures and realistic prospects for the facility’s future use,” explains Maria Artmann, Head of Foundation Management, on behalf of the Board of the Förderstiftung Leipziger Stadtbad.

A search is therefore underway, in collaboration with the City of Leipzig, for a long-term, sustainable utilisation and funding concept. Further assessments are required to clarify which options are feasible.

It is a cultural monument

In its justification for the sale, the SPD parliamentary group also points out that the Stadtbad is unsuitable for regular school and club swimming activities. From the Foundation’s perspective, this argument alone falls short: the focus of its work is on preserving a unique cultural monument and developing a long-term, sustainable use for the facility, which need not be limited to a traditional indoor swimming pool.

The Foundation had already expressed a desire for direct dialogue with the SPD parliamentary group in connection with a similar budget motion relating to the previous two-year budget. The Foundation regrets that no discussion took place prior to the current motion. It invites the SPD parliamentary group, as well as the other city council groups, to discuss the available studies and possible prospects for the Stadtbad together.

The long-standing commitment and attachment of many Leipzig residents to the Stadtbad should be taken into account in this regard.

A council resolution would first have to be repealed

However, the city’s Department of Economic Affairs notes that a city council resolution also stands in the way of the motion.

“At present
, City
Council Resolution VII-DS-02065 stands in the way of a sale
, as the city council used this resolution
to rule out the sale of the municipal swimming pool. A sale would require a corresponding amendment or repeal of the existing city council resolution. Hence the reference to the procedure, as a sale would certainly only be possible subject to conditions and stipulations whose formulation within the framework of an administrative position on a budget motion would be too complex and would require preparatory work.”

The statement from the Department of Economic Affairs on the SPD parliamentary group’s budget motion also confirms the collaboration with the City Baths Foundation: “The administration is working together with the City Baths Foundation on cost estimates that would allow for (partial or alternative) operation of the baths. It is foreseeable that any form of swimming pool use – even limited use – would require a high level of investment far exceeding the value of the land.”

On the other hand, a solution is not currently in sight either: “A refurbishment using municipal funds does not currently appear to be financially viable. If the city therefore links the sale to an obligation to invest, this will significantly affect the market value, and a proceeds of EUR 5 million is therefore unlikely, even if a sale is successful. The actual sale proceeds that can be realised depend on the future market situation, the specific marketing process, the structural condition of the building, the existing legal and heritage protection framework, and the potential for subsequent use.”

The Leipzig Municipal Swimming Pool

The Leipzig Municipal Swimming Pool opened in 1916 in the Historicist style and offered attractions that were exciting for their time: In particular, the spectacular wave pool in the men’s swimming hall and the Moorish-style ladies’ sauna with its oriental flair made the baths a real magnet for people from Leipzig and the surrounding area for decades. In 2004, the Stadtbad had to close due to structural issues; since then, its future has been uncertain.

To prevent it from falling further into disrepair, the Leipzig Waterworks established a charitable foundation in 2006, which is campaigning for the restoration and revitalisation of this historic bathing complex.