Plans for a swimming pool complex in Katowice

According to Gazeta w Katowicach, a swimming pool complex will be built at the junction of Kosciuszki and Ceglana Streets, in place of the Gwardia Stadium. It is a great solution of the problem related to a small number of indoor swimming pools in the city. The demand for such a facility was also expressed by the readers of Gazeta Wyborcza in a survey carried out in 2005.

In August 2006 Dziennik Zachodni informed that the complex would comprise a 25-metre-long indoor swimming pool with eight lanes, an indoor recreational swimming pool with water attractions, paddling pools for kids, an outdoor swimming pool with water attractions and a 25-metre-long outdoor swimming pool with eight lanes. Additionally, there will also be: hydromassage baths, saunas, health and beauty spas, solaria, fitness studios, gyms, restaurants and outside sports facilities, such as multifunctional fields for handball, basketball and volleyball, tennis courts and beach volleyball courts.

The city authorities decided on a private investor, who will use the complex temporarily, e.g. for 30 years. Then, it will be returned to the city. According to initial estimates, the whole undertaking will cost at least 30 million zloty.

The investment, executed within public and private partnership, attracted the attention of five Polish and foreign companies. The facility is to be ready for use in 2008.

Krzysztof Żarek, a taxi driver, is hoping that joining the cities will prevent leaving the roads unfinished. "The four-lane road to Mysłowice has been left unfinished for years. It ends with a 'no entry' sign once you have gone beyond the borders of Katowice,"says Mr Żarek. The agglomeration will have common funds for financing road investments of all member cities.

(Sources: Gazeta w Katowicach, 29th December 2006
Dziennik Zachodni, 12th August 2006)