After more than 60 years of operation, the Sindelfingen indoor swiming pool 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 indoor swimming pool. Furthermore it 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. For years, this has led to declining visitor numbers. 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 health— 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. The aim is to develop a health and leisure complex (indoor and outdoor pools) with a unified pricing structure, featuring affordable basic access for swimmers, schools, and clubs, alongside family-friendly rates. Designed with sustainability at its core, the project prioritizes accessibility, energy efficiency, and economic viability to secure the long-term future of the facility.According to the current planning status, the projected annual financial burden, including investment costs and assuming a 60% equity share, is approximately €4 million. A basic refurbishment without enhancements or expansion is currently estimated at €43 million, resulting in an annual deficit of around €6 million.The project has been realigned in response to significantly increased investment costs and the current tight budget situation. The originally planned “family pool” concept proved to be unfeasible within these financial constraints. An alternative solution was therefore developed, enabling lower investment costs while placing a strong focus on sustainability and economic efficiency. The aim is to ensure long-term operational viability and to ease the financial burden on the public budget over time. This resulted in two alternative options: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.