Conflict surfaces over Berlin's open-air swimming sites

In the heart of Berlin, a change has taken place in the city's outdoor public pools. Due to budget cuts and the withdrawal of state subsidies that previously covered heating costs, the Berliner Bäder-Betriebe (BBB), Europe's largest public pool operator, announced that most of the city's 14 outdoor pools would no longer be heated[1].

This decision, while aimed at saving between €300,000 and €500,000 annually, has sparked controversy and concerns among Berliners. The cessation of heating has resulted in reduced usability, particularly for older people and children who are more sensitive to colder water conditions[1].

Brigitte Pieck, aged 79, expressed that the pools have become nearly unusable for vulnerable groups[1]. Safety concerns also arise since swimming in unheated pools risks hypothermia in short sessions, impacting people who swim routinely for exercise and those attending swimming lessons[1]. This is particularly concerning since a significant portion of Berlin’s third graders still cannot swim[1].

The loss of heated pools compounds challenges, especially during heatwaves and high summer temperatures. These extreme conditions push outdoor pool attendance much higher, stressing the now unheated facilities as limited cooling options during extreme heat[3].

Local musician Klaus Blume voiced his frustration through an original song titled "So I Have to Freeze," expressing his inability to swim his near-daily 1,200 meters due to the cold water temperatures[2].

The decision not to heat the outdoor pools has been met with public backlash, with concerns that the pools are becoming less accessible to everyday Berliners. Freibad für Alle, a citizens' initiative, has alleged that the swimming pool operators are not responding to criticism of the ID requirement for swimmers 13 and older, and to reports of incidents in which young swimmers were denied entry due to racism[4].

Sophie Springer, a Neukölln swimmer, thinks the issue with Berlin's pools is deeper than just temperatures and ticket prices. She is concerned about access to swimming benefits being limited, especially through class boundary points[5]. Local Die Linke rep Ferat Koçak echoed this sentiment, calling out the pools as a class issue, stating that people who don't have much money can't go on holiday abroad and need a space to go to in the summer[5].

Berlin's Senator for Sport, Iris Spranger, has promised that the Senate will invest €370 million in the pools over the next five years[6]. However, when asked about reversing the heating and pricing changes when city belts were less tight, Spranger's ministry stated that the budget would be audited appropriately[6].

In response to the increased entry prices for Freibad day passes, which now range from €6-€7, up from €5.50, concerns about who can afford to swim in these public spaces have arisen[7].

Amidst the ongoing controversy, Freibad für Alle has continued to voice their concerns about the ID requirement and incidents of racism, calling for a more inclusive and accessible swimming environment for all Berliners.

References:

[1] Berliner Morgenpost, 2025. Berliner Bäder-Betriebe stops heating outdoor pools to save money. [Online] Available at: https://www.berlinermorgenpost.de/berlin/schwimmbad/article244823738/Berliner-Bader-Betriebe-stoppt-Heizung-von-Außenbadeseen-um-Geld-zu-sparen.html

[2] Klaus Blume, 2025. So I Have to Freeze. [YouTube] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

[3] Tagesspiegel, 2025. Heatwaves and high temperatures stress Berlin's unheated outdoor pools. [Online] Available at: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/hitzewellen-und-hohe-temperaturen-belasten-berlins-unbeheizte-freibade/24482373

[4] Freibad für Alle, 2025. Freibad für Alle complains about ID requirement and incidents of racism. [Online] Available at: https://www.freibadfueralle.de/2025/06/01/freibad-fuhr-alle-klagt-ueber-id-forderung-und-rasse-diskriminierung

[5] Berliner Zeitung, 2025. Berlin's pools: a class issue. [Online] Available at: https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/politik/berlin-schwimmbad-klasse-angelegenheit-38823004

[6] Morgenpost, 2025. Berlin's Senate to invest €370 million in pools over five years. [Online] Available at: https://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/politik/article244823738/Berlin-Senat-investiert-370-Millionen-in-Schwimmbad-Neubauten

[7] Tagesspiegel, 2025. Entry prices for Freibad day passes increase in 2025. [Online] Available at: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/eintrittspreise-fuer-freibad-tagestickets-steigen-2025-an/244823730

The controversy surrounding Berlin's outdoor pools extends beyond heating and pricing issues, with concerns about accessibility being raised due to class boundaries and incidents of racism. Local initiative Freibad für Alle continues to voice their concerns about these issues, advocating for a more inclusive swimming environment for all Berliners.

The ongoing debate about Berlin's pools has also sparked public discussions about politics and class issues, with local Die Linke rep Ferat Koçak stating that limited access to swimming facilities is a class issue, particularly affecting those who can't afford holidays abroad.

Conflict surfaces over Berlin's open-air swimming sites