New thermal baths in Bad Salzhausen: departure or financial dead end?

New thermal baths in Bad Salzhausen: departure or financial dead end?

The Nidda main and finance committee approved the construction of a new thermal bath in Bad Salzhausen on April 27, 2025. This vote was supported by the CDU's voting representatives and the citizen list, while the SPD and Greens voted. The crucial point on the agenda included the sale of the thermal property to the Interspa group from Stuttgart as well as a draft contract for the construction of the thermal baths and a hotel.

Mayor Thorsten Eberhard (CDU) pointed out at the meeting that Interspa drives dynamic plans that, among other things, provides a larger water surface as well as additional facilities, such as a barefoot path and a Kneipp basin. However, the stopping of the change of property by Interspa caused controversy. In addition, the contract contains conditions that the city should assure that the bathroom remains publicly usable and that brine can be used.

financial aspects and concerns

In the contract, far -reaching security is anchored, including the right of repurchase and the commitment to use. However, it was clarified that the pool advisory board cannot decide on prices and opening times. Interspa plans to found four companies, whereby trade tax for the management areas is not paid in Nidda. The calculated annual number of 200,000 is considered questionable by some committee members.

The city has undertaken to pay an annual company fee that is regulated in a forfaiting model. This remuneration begins at 550,000 euros and is said to be between 1.6 and 1.8 million euros at the end of the term. There were concerns about possible deficits and the financial responsibility of the municipality, especially if the number of visitors did not meet expectations. Eberhard emphasized the importance of the project for the region and the need for business thinking.

demolished thermal baths and outlook

The existing Therme Bad Salzhausen is currently dilapidated and has been closed for almost two years. The plan was originally caught building a health center without a thermal bath at this point, since a new building was considered too expensive. At the urging of Eberhard, however, an investor is now being sought to realize the construction and operation of a new thermal bath. It is planned to build a pelvis with the dimensions 14 by 18 meters, which corresponds to the size of the old pool.

The tender for the construction is to be published in State Gazette in Hesse next week. Potential applicants have six weeks to submit their offers. The market for thermal baths has improved in the past two years, which is why there is hope to find a suitable investor. If this does not succeed, the original plan for a health center with combined heat and power plants remains. This new facility should be completed by 2027 in order to be ready to be ready for the State Garden Show in Oberhessen in time.

In addition, other health resorts in Hessen tackle similar developments to create new offers after the Corona crisis. An example of this is the Lagune Experience Bad in Willingen, which is being built, as well as the new Sprudelhof-Therme in Bad Nauheim. In Bad Vilbel, a planned thermal world with an investment amount of around 200 million euros is mentioned, but the start of construction is delayed.

The developments around the Therme Bad Salzhausen are therefore not only important for the city of Nidda, but also refer to a broader trend towards new leisure activities in Hesse. The challenges that are before the project are diverse, but also the will to create an attractive offer in the region is strong.