End for the Burgfarrnbach Youth Pool? City of Fürth considers permanent closure

The Burgfarrnbach Youth Pool could be permanently taken offline. The Finance and Administration Committee of the City of Fürth plans to discuss a cessation of operations on June 10, 2026. The basis is a proposal from the administration, which is based on a condition report from infra fürth: Before reopening, the operator estimates that investments of at least 165,000 euros would be necessary. At the same time, visitor numbers have dropped sharply in recent years—and there is a lack of qualified staff for supervision and technical operations.

Facility and Equipment

For many families in Burgfarrnbach, the pool is more than just a body of water: For around 60 years, the facility behind the Farrnbach School has been used as a seasonal outdoor pool, designed for children and young people up to and including 14 years old, as well as accompanying persons.

• Unheated pool: 8 × 20 m, depth 0.80 – 1.35 m
• Lawn area: approx. 1,000 m²
• Changing rooms and toilets

This season, the youth pool has so far remained closed.

165,000 euros before the next opening—mainly for technology and safety

The infra fürth report describes the need for renovation as comprehensive. It is not about individual cosmetic repairs, but about central components that are essential for safe and proper pool operations.

Mentioned among others are damages to:

• Measuring and dosing technology for pool water treatment
• Control cabinet
• Backwash air blower
• Circulation pumps
• various fittings

Especially problematic: Since last season, the pool water technology has been losing large amounts of water. As a possible cause, infra suspects a pipe break in the ground or a massive leak in the pool. Locating and repairing this alone is estimated at up to 50,000 euros—a sum that does not yet cover further work on electrics, pipes, or surfaces.

In addition, according to the condition report, there are deficiencies that directly affect traffic safety:

• Defective electrics in changing rooms, sanitary facilities, and lifeguard rooms
• severely corroded water pipes
• uneven paving at the pool and on the path from the changing room to the water
• increased risk of accidents at the staircase from the schoolyard to the entrance gate

Declining visitor numbers, ongoing costs—and no staff for operations

Usage has declined significantly in recent years:

• 2023: 600 bathers
• 2024: 465 bathers
• 2025: 275 bathers

With the declining frequency, revenues also fell. Operating expenses remained in the five-digit range; for 2025, infra cites 38,500 euros net. In weighing the options, the question is not only whether 165,000 euros should be invested, but also how sustainable operations would be if occupancy remains low and ongoing costs accrue year after year.

Another bottleneck: The previously employed specialist is no longer available, as they were reassigned to the Stadeln indoor pool after a staff departure. However, qualified employees are necessary for the following areas:

• Lifeguard supervision
• Water treatment
• Cleaning
• technical support

Infra currently does not have the required capacity for these tasks.

Political resistance: CSU advocates for preservation

The administration emphasizes that the youth pool has a social function: as a meeting place for children and young people in Burgfarrnbach, as a place for exercise, relaxation, and cooling off on hot days. At the same time, the facility is only partially suitable for structured swimming lessons due to its design and does not play a central role in school or club-organized swimming training.

The CSU city council faction nevertheless advocates for its preservation and had requested that the administration and infra report on the condition and future of the pool. In its reasoning, the faction describes the youth pool as a popular place for local youth; in addition, it could be integrated into the care of all-day students and local after-school care centers. CSU faction leader Max Ammon criticizes the timing of the information release: “Unfortunately, information about the necessary investments was withheld for too long to find a solution for reopening.”

Proposed resolution: Closure—and concept for subsequent use

The administration's proposal: Decide on permanent cessation of operations and develop a concept for subsequent use of the site. The following options are specifically mentioned:

• Expansion of school open spaces
• Use of the ancillary buildings as storage or covered outdoor seating
• Decommissioning and filling in the pool, for example as a school garden bed

This puts the city in a position of weighing a socially significant offering against a six-figure renovation need, declining visitor numbers, and a lack of qualified staff. The final decision will be made by the Finance and Administration Committee.