Vitalbad Burscheid: Refurbishment is delayed - uncertainty about opening!

Vitalbad Burscheid: Refurbishment is delayed - uncertainty about opening!

The reopening of the vital bath in Burscheid is delayed again, and operations manager Christian Meuthen has not been able to call a fixed date. After the now failed schedule, which originally provided for an opening in April 2023, visitors must continue to do without the popular leisure location. Since the bathroom was closed in August 2023 due to necessary renovation work, the condition has been worrying, since the actual damage to the concrete was only visible after the work began. Six places around the swimming pool have burst, which is due to chloride content in the water that has entered the concrete over the past five decades. The manager admits that the damage is larger than originally assumed.

The renovation work that started in August 2023 has been delayed by unforeseen problems. In particular, delivery bottlenecks due to the Ukraine War and Coronapandemia have hindered the progress of the work. "The defects were initially invisible," explains Meuthen, since they only became visible when the concrete surfaces were grinded, especially in the basement and fire protection. These challenges have also led to no exact timing for the reopening of the vital bathroom.

safe voices for a new beginning

Meuthen emphasizes that progress is made and that everyone involved in the project will emerge from an opening in 2025. The sports committee, led by Michael Baggeler, recently visited the construction site and was able to get an overview of the status of the renovation work. The next step includes work on screed and tiles before a detailed schedule for the reopening can take place.

The financial resources for the renovation are secured: the total costs amount to five million euros, of which 1.8 million euros come from a nationwide funding program. This program provides for support for the energetic renovation of municipal institutions and aims to reduce the renovation backlog at municipal institutions. These funds were approved in 2021 after the need for renovation was already recognized in 2016.

public expectation and acceptance

The operators of the vital bath are aware of the lack of understanding and frustration among the population. Many bathers hoped for reopening, but the current circumstances make it impossible. In particular, the invisibility of the damage has made it difficult to accept the renovation measures. Technical systems that were necessary to remedy the damage had to be expanded and later reinstalled, and the operators signaled that test runs of the technology are also planned to uncover any further problems.

In the meantime, the question of the long -term future of the bathroom remains in the room. Rumors about a possible permanent closure have arisen, but Meuthen makes it clear that the intention is to reopen the vital bath. The population can therefore hope for a positive development for the time being, even if the exact time of reopening remains uncertain. The situation remains tense, but optimistic with regard to the progress that can be made until the final acceptance of the renovation work.

For detailed information about the funding that should benefit the vital bath, interested parties can bmwsb.bund.de visit. In addition, reports of rga.de and KStA.de Published details on ongoing renovation work.