Reinvented Public Pools: A New Era of Swimming Pool Management by Private Enterprises
French Municipal Pools: A New Era
Step into the evolving world of French municipal swimming pools. In Montargis (Loiret), Mayor Benoit Digeon (LR) has hired a private company to manage the town's pool for eight years. Soaring energy bills have caused costs to skyrocket, approaching a staggering one million euros per year. But fear not, the citizens of Montargis are treated to an exceptional sound system and projectors!
Private Management Nationwide: A Trend on the Rise
Approximately 400 French municipal pools, accounting for about 10% of the total, rely on private management. In Amiens (Somme), residents have flocked to the Aquapole since its inception. The privately-run venue thrives on entrance fees and subscriptions to turn a profit.
Why the shift from public to private? Some municipalities are betting on this approach to keep their pools modern while maintaining financial stability. In Montargis, for example, attendance has climbed from 95,000 to 130,000 entries per year without an increase in costs for the town hall.
Yet, not every town or city is seeing success with this model. In Mourenx (Pyrenees-Atlantiques), Mayor Patrice Laurent (PS) ended 17 years of private management due to escalating entrance fees and increasing bills from the manager.
On the Edge: Struggling with Private Management
Treading water is not always an option for these private-run pools. The vibrant city of Amiens and the more challenging town of Mourenx illustrate the high-stakes gamble these municipalities are taking.
For the uninitiated, there's more to this shift than meets the eye. Municipal infrastructure in France, including public services like swimming pools, can often be managed via public-private partnerships (PPPs) or concessions. These agreements enable private companies to manage and maintain public facilities in exchange for financial compensation and benefits.
The effects of this change can be multifaceted. On the plus side, municipalities may see reduced costs, modernized facilities, and potential revenue generation. However, there are potential drawbacks: accessibility issues due to increased fees, a focus on profitability over service quality, and a disconnect between communities and facilities as decisions are made by private entities.
Only time will tell if this shift in management will keep these French municipal pools afloat or send them sinking. Whether through modernization or financial woe, one thing is certain: France's poolscape has taken a plunge into new waters.
In the various towns and cities across France, a shift towards private management is transforming the home-and-garden landscape, as public swimming pools are increasingly being run by private companies. For instance, the Aquapole in Amiens, a privately-run venue, has seen an influx of residents since its inception, relying on entrance fees and subscriptions to generate profit and cater to the local lifestyle, much like a French home-and-garden setting.
