After more than 60 years of operation, the Sindelfingen bathing center has established itself locally and regionally. It is one of the flagships of the city of Sindelfingen and has been inspiring generations since its opening in 1976 with its spacious outdoor pool and the 50-meter sports swimming pool in the indoor pool—and is an integral part of sport, recreation, and leisure in the region. But time does not stand still. Challenges related to the building’s age and operations mean it is in serious need of renovation and improvement. They are an increasing burden on the municipal budget. At the same time, modern requirements and needs are no longer being met: The facility is no longer appealing to families, and the bathing experience no longer meets modern expectations. This has led to declining visitor numbers for years. In order to be equipped for the future, it therefore needs to be comprehensively renovated and made more attractive.

The three main areas —sports, family, and sauna— are designed to meet the needs of all user groups and generations, while also ensuring the long-term future of sports, school, and club swimming. Sustainably planned, with a focus on accessibility and energy efficiency, to ensure the long-term future of the bathing center. The planned investments total around €100.6 million. Based on current planning, the future annual budget burden would be around €4.9 million, taking into account the investment costs with an equity share of 60%. Refurbishment costs of €35.7 million are currently estimated for a general refurbishment alone, without any enhancements or extensions. With an equity investment of 100%, the annual subsidy amount would increase from the current level of around €4.6 million to around €5.4 million. The decision to implement the project was preceded by a comprehensive feasibility study, from which three variants emerged: Feasibility study on the future of the bathing center (2015) These variants formed the basis for a public participation process (2016). The findings: 63% of the population would like to see a significant increase in the attractiveness of the offering, with a clear majority preferring option 2. In 2019, the municipal council unanimously voted to carry out an in-depth assessment of option 2 and to set aside €35 million in reserves and in 2022, Stuttgart-based architecture firm Auer Weber won the design competition. In July 2023, the municipal council commissioned Auer Weber with the planning required to continue the project. The specialist planning services were commissioned in December.