Pool Preservation: Swimming Association Urges NRW Municipalities to Step Up
Mandatory Bath Preservation Directive by Swimming Federation Requested - Mandatory Swimming: Swimming Association Proposes Making Bathing Obligatory
Hey there! Let's dive into the topic of pool preservation in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), shall we?
The Swimming Association of NRW is urging municipalities across the state to make pool preservation a mandatory task. With soaring energy costs and increasing CO2 taxes on the horizon, the association fears that many pools could shut down, leading to a significant drop in swimming proficiency.
Surprisingly, swimming pools haven't traditionally been considered a mandatory public service, like schools and kindergartens, but rather a voluntary service. Unfortunate circumstances have already led to the loss of over 40% of NRW's swimming pools in the past 25 years, according to the association. That's a worrying trend, considering they represent around 600 swimming clubs and 220,000 members in NRW!
The association is calling for support from the federal and state governments to help municipal pool operators financially. They believe that a sustainable investment and support program is crucial to keep heads above water.
Demand for swimming courses in NRW clubs is sky high, with half of them having waiting lists for beginner swimming lessons. But, as Claudia Heckmann, the association's president, points out, what's the point if swimming lessons in schools become increasingly scarce? Currently, surveys reveal that only half of primary school students nationwide can swim securely by the end of primary school. That's a considerable number of kids who are left floundering in NRW alone every year.
Municipalities in NRW value swimming education and pool preservation, but their financial straits set clear limitations. Many municipalities are trying to make the most of their resources through cooperation with each other and swimming clubs. "No one wants to close a public pool," a municipal spokesperson shared.
To sum it up, the Swimming Association of NRW wants to see swimming lessons in schools and swimming pools preserved as a mandatory task for municipalities. This move could offer numerous benefits, such as improved public health, community development, and educational opportunities for children.
In the pursuit of preserving swimming pools, the Swimming Association of NRW advocates for vocational training in water safety and swimming instruction as a mandatory task for municipalities. This could also enhance the science of aquatic safety, contributing to health-and-wellness, and promote education-and-self-development, particularly in the areas of fitness-and-exercise and learning. Additionally, such a move could help prevent the loss of swimming proficiency due to closed pools and ensure more children have access to swimming lessons, as demonstrated by the high demand for swimming courses in NRW.
