Tyrol is focusing on regional swimming pools

The outdated Axams leisure centre was closed down for good in September 2024. Just under a year later, on 8 August, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new regional swimming pool took place. This is the first new construction project to be co-financed by the Tyrol Provincial Swimming Pool Fund. Rather than taking a scattered approach, Tyrol was the first Austrian region to develop a strategic swimming pool plan.

This encourages the development of regionally important bathing areas that benefit both locals and visitors. “Axams is considered a local recreation area for Innsbruck, which has insufficient swimming pool capacity,” says Günter Wallner, Sales Manager at Berndorf Projekt GmbH. “Fourteen municipalities are participating in the regional project, which has received a total investment of just under 32 million euros.”

We at ATZWANGER are also involved, as subcontractors of our long-standing partner, Berndorf Bäderbau, which secured the contract in a joint venture with Fröschl AG & Co. KG.

The new building features an adventure pool, a sports and exercise pool with diving facilities, a Boulder Wall, an Aquacross swimming course, a parent-and-child area, and a large slide. One particular highlight will be the new sauna area, which will feature sensory showers, saltwater pools, relaxation areas, and a spacious sauna garden.

“This is a wonderful project for us, as well as a kind of milestone,” explains Peter Kößlbacher, Sales Manager at ATZWANGER Anlagenbau in Salzburg. “Here, we are responsible not only for pool water technology, which has been our core competence for 50 years, but also for all technical trades, except electrical installation. This is the first time that we have taken responsibility for the heating, air conditioning, ventilation and sanitary facilities of an indoor swimming pool in Austria.” Here, Berndorf Bäderbau wanted a partner “who could cover everything”.

This is another step forward in the successful partnership between the two companies, spanning over 50 years! The advantage is that the parties involved have known each other for a long time, and, as Wallner emphasises with a smile, they “communicate directly with each other”.

Demolition work is currently underway, after which the site will be completely rebuilt. The new regional bathing pool is scheduled to open in June 2027.

“The future of the swimming pool landscape in Austria is regional character”, the two sales managers are convinced. “This will allow us to best meet the needs of the population, schools, and associations.”