The planned €1.6 million renovation of the PIDAL swimming pool, a facility used by the Walferdange, Steinsel, and Lorentzweiler municipalities, has sparked some controversy among Walferdange community representatives.
The renovation plans include energy upgrades and the addition of a second pool. However, the third floor of 340m2, which currently houses resting rooms, rooms for nurses, and a saltwater pool, has proven to be a point of contention.
Local representatives of the Greens have raised concerns about plans to transform the third floor into office space and a kitchen, as the space is not heavily used. "We're talking about single offices of up to 36m2. There are people who live in smaller homes than that," says Greens representative Jessie Thill.
Her party argues that it would be more practical and beneficial to transform the space into a multi-functional room for yoga and Pilates or to rent out spaces to osteopaths. This would generate extra revenue. The saltwater pool has already been taken out of use for energy reasons, and these 125m2 could still be used as office space.
Paul Bach, President of the Pidal board and Administrative Council, has stated that the organisation must create infrastructure to allow personnel to work properly, as they currently lack adequate office space.
The renovation of the third floor is estimated to cost €1.6 million, with Walferdange municipality contributing 47% of the cost. "That's an awful lot of money," says Jean Rossy of the CSV and Steinsel municipality. "We agree on that. But we need to build offices somewhere. What size they'll be...that's what we're discussing right now."
Rossy doesn't understand the fuss around something that hasn't been decided yet.
Vote delayed
The vote on the renovation budget was initially scheduled for Tuesday but was removed from the agenda at short notice. Walferdange Mayor François Sauber welcomed the move, stating that it is important to come together with the architect and find a consensus that works for both the client and the taxpayer.
The Walferdange municipality has also proposed adding an office to the ground floor and increasing the size of the reception area, however, this option is considered too costly at €3 million.
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