Does the Stadtbad in Leipzig still have a realistic future? We asked the funding foundation

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The Stadtbad in Leipzig is showing its age; 110 years after it was built and 22 years after it closed, its future remains uncertain. The City of Leipzig wanted to sell it but could not find a buyer with a viable business plan. In 2021, the city council decided to end the sale efforts and keep the building in municipal ownership.

At present, dinner shows and other events are held there; some renovation work has been carried out to preserve the building’s structure, and there is a budget motion tabled by the SPD group in the Leipzig City Council. The SPD is calling for the property to be sold after all. However, the Leipziger Stadtbad Support Foundation is opposed to this, and the city administration also has objections.

The Leipziger Stadtbad Funding Foundation has a vision: “The refurbished Stadtbad will create opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and active health promotion in a unique historical setting. In addition to preserving the swimming pools and the oriental sauna, the building is intended to provide space for a wide range of wellness, health promotion, recreation and educational activities.”

We contacted the Foundation. Dirk Thärichen, one of the board members, was happy to answer our questions. Due to scheduling issues, we conducted our communication via email.

Interviewee Dirk Thärichen at the market breakfast on 11 October 26. Photo: Thomas Köhler

Mr Thärichen, next month the Foundation will celebrate 17 years as an independent organization, though it has been in existence for 20 years in total. A lot has happened at the Stadtbad during this time, but the aforementioned goal seems almost out of reach. Now, the SPD group on the city council has tabled a motion that once again aims to sell the property to a private investor. Can the Förderstiftung even still achieve the goal it set itself?

The Leipzig City Baths Support Foundation was established in 2006 with the aim of preserving the historic Leipzig City Baths – a listed building – renovating it and making it accessible to the public once again. Where possible, it is to be restored to its original function. Despite many years of efforts by the City of Leipzig to sell the property, no investor could be found to undertake the refurbishment and operation.

Together with the Property Office, the Foundation has commissioned further studies examining the comparison of options (large-scale or small-scale swimming pool solution) requested by the City Council. For us as the Foundation, it is important that a viable concept is found here that does not require annual subsidies from the City of Leipzig’s budget. Current interim results are encouraging in this regard.

It has been agreed with the responsible councillor, Clemens Schülke, that a preferred option for future operation is to be presented to the City Council next. Final investigations into this are currently underway. Only once the City Council has made a decision on this will it be possible to secure funding for the refurbishment.

The Leipziger Stadtbad Foundation is firmly convinced that the renovation and reopening of the Stadtbad as a public swimming pool is possible.

What is the current condition of the building’s structure and its installations?

In 2021, the city council revoked the decision to sell the property and, at the same time, released funds for a feasibility study on the revitalisation of the Stadtbad. These funds were channelled into a comprehensive study to assess the building’s structural condition and the expected investment costs for the refurbishment. We therefore know very clearly that the building’s structure is in relatively good condition.

The Leipzig Stadtbad in autumn. Photo: Benjamin Weinkauf

At the time of its construction, the Leipzig Stadtbad featured truly revolutionary technology – one need only think of the wave-generating system. What remains of it, and what can be saved?

When it opened in 1916, the UNDOSA wave-generating system was the first of its kind in Europe to be installed in an indoor swimming pool. It created waves up to one metre high. The technology of the original wave-generating system is no longer preserved. In the 1980s, it was replaced by a pneumatic system. Whilst this is still in place, it is no longer operational. This applies generally to all the technical systems in the building. Only in the events area (men’s swimming hall and adjoining rooms) have the electrical and plumbing systems been renewed to meet the requirements for approval as a venue for public gatherings.

What funds have been raised by the funding foundation to date and invested in the refurbishment of the building?

It is indeed difficult to raise funds for the revitalization when it is not even clear yet what is to become of the Stadtbad. Nor have the City of Leipzig’s long-standing efforts to sell the property contributed to an increase in donations. Nevertheless, the foundation generates income through guided tours, events, and also some donations. These are usually spent in the same year on development studies. In this regard, we support the owner – the City of Leipzig – by covering these costs.

The foundation has played a significant part in ensuring that the Stadtbad remains in a very sound condition. For instance, without the Foundation’s preparatory work, the funds from the second economic stimulus package for the energy-efficient roof renovation could not have been secured. In total, approximately 5 million euros have been invested in the upkeep of the Stadtbad over the last 20 years, all of which is directly or indirectly linked to the Foundation’s work.

How much funding is required to achieve the goal you have set yourselves, and is this even possible without a major investor?

The Foundation is in close consultation with the Property Office and the Economic Development Agency on this matter. As things stand, the renovation of the entire building complex will cost just under 80 million euros. Even with an investor, renovation will be virtually impossible without grant funding. We are therefore awaiting the City Council’s decision on which development option we shall all work together to champion, and will then actively support the fundraising efforts.

Do you have a ‘roadmap’ for the Stadtbad?

This is how we envisage the future: Once the city council has decided on a development option for the municipal swimming pool, we as a foundation can take action.

Conclusion: Dirk Thärichen, speaking on behalf of the funding foundation, expresses optimism that the municipal swimming pool will eventually reopen, at least in part, in its original function. The city administration states: “The administration is working together with the Stadtbad’s funding foundation on cost estimates that would allow for (partial or alternative) swimming pool operations.” This also means that the investment figure of around 80 million euros mentioned by Dirk Thärichen is merely an estimate; it could end up being more expensive. It remains to be seen which preferred option the city council will choose, what the actual costs will be, and how these funds can be raised.

A personal note from the author: I had swimming lessons at the Stadtbad in the 1960s; as children and teenagers, we used to meet there to go for a swim. I also had my first sauna sessions there. On a purely emotional level, I would welcome a reopening, but whether it would be economically viable – I have my doubts.