Therme Bad Dürkheim: Opening postponed again - citizens pay on it!

Therme Bad Dürkheim: Opening postponed again - citizens pay on it!

The planned opening of the new thermal baths in Bad Dürkheim was postponed again. Instead of as originally intended for April 2025, citizens must adapt to further delays, which are due to increasing construction costs and unforeseen problems. The current overall project volume was expected to be raised to 42.5 million euros, which represents an increase of 21 percent compared to the original budget. This information provides the Rheinpfalz, which describes the situation as increasingly tense.

The construction site gives a positive impression, but due to construction errors and inaccurate dimensions of the shell, considerable additional costs are approaching the city. Overall, the estimated additional costs amount to around 13 million euros. Stadtwerke managing director Peter Kistenmacher pointed out that leakage in the pipelines of the sparkling loungers occurred despite prior exams. Finally, Bad Dürkheim citizens will have to pay for the additional costs, which can lead to opportunities for savings or even fees and tax increases. This ensures some concern among the population.

construction progress and design of the thermal baths

The city council of Bad Dürkheim discussed the Therme future project in several sessions. The architect Ernst-Ullrich Tillmanns recently presented the construction progress and the planned interior design. Among other things, this provides for the use of lots of wood, natural stone look, as well as manual tiles. Large glass surfaces will give the ambience of the thermal bath an inviting note. Particularly noteworthy is the floor tile, which is also to be used in the thermal basin.

In addition to the architectural concept, an art project was launched with a budget of 250,000 euros. Ricarda Mieth's “waves” design was selected to set a special accent in the thermal bath. Mosaics and glass strips in the bathrobe duct should reflect the spectral course of the cesium and thus create an interesting visual connection to nature.

financial perspectives and economic impulses

The current cost forecast remains alarming with 42.5 million euros, but there are also positive approaches. A promotion of 11.08 million euros was promised by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate for the project. Mayor Christoph Glogger expressed himself optimistically about progress in the construction phase, despite the previous difficulties and the necessary negotiations. The shell is to be completed by the end of 2023 and the building envelope is to be closed by May 2024. The slide tower for the Salinarium Leisure Pad is also to be put into operation in February 2024. The construction of the entire system will be sought by the end of 2024.

The municipal utilities have capped their share of the thermal costs to 8 million euros, which means that the city of Bad Dürkheim will take over the cost increases. Nevertheless, there is hopes that the new thermal bath could bring economic impulses for the city. Wellness and vacation in Bad Dürkheim are currently in high demand and the city is expected to generate additional income from them. The future prospects are quite positive, even if the way there still has many challenges.