For many residents and visitors in Hesperange, the outdoor pool at the Beach Club in the local park has been a well-known summer spot for years. This year, however, the pool did not open its doors after it was discovered that the local authority had never obtained the necessary permits to operate it.
The situation now raises questions as to how this oversight went unnoticed for so long and what the future holds for the site.
The Beach Club's outdoor pool first opened in Hesperange Park in 2009, with all required permits from the Environmental Administration and the Water Management Agency secured at the time.
However, from 2010 to 2014, only the Water Management Agency's permit was renewed, and since 2015, the pool has operated without any authorisations. Even a major expansion in 2018 failed to prompt a review of its legal status.
The lack of permits only came to light last year, after the Hesperange youth centre informed the municipality that it would no longer provide pool supervisors. As a result, the pool has closed, and according to Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) councillor Mathis Godefroid, it is likely to stay that way.
Godefroid stated that the best solution now would be to demolish it, as so many things would need to be changed. The pool is in a flood-prone area, and as residents know, Hesperange is often affected by flooding from the Alzette after heavy rainfall.
In those situations, chlorinated water could end up washing straight into the river, according to him.
The Greens in Hesperange, however, see things differently. Councillor Stephen De Ron is demanding that the current CSV-DP coalition do everything possible to reopen the pool as soon as possible.
At the same time, responsibility for the current situation remains unclear. De Ron has criticised the lack of clarity regarding who at the municipality was officially responsible for overseeing the pool.
He pointed out that the only explanation offered so far is that a former member of staff, which was already implicated in other local scandals, was responsible, but he believes it is unfair to place blame solely on a lower-level employee.
It is worth recalling that Marc Lies served as mayor of Hesperange from 2009 until 2025. When asked about a potential reopening date, Mayor Diane Adehm indicated that the municipality is still in discussions with the Water Management Agency, and it is too early to make any predictions.
Adehm explained that the municipality must await the outcome of its discussions with the Water Management Agency to determine whether the site can be brought into compliance. Over the years, permanent infrastructure was built without the necessary authorisations or approval from the agency.
The future of the pool now depends on whether the agency allows the municipality to regularise the situation based on proposed safety measures, or if, instead, it requires removal of the pool altogether.
If the pool cannot reopen, the community will lose a valued resource. The facility has been especially popular with families and local childcare centres.
Its significance was highlighted in early June when more than 500 people signed a petition calling for the pool's reopening.
As for possible legal repercussions, this will depend on the Water Management Agency's next steps.
Mayor Adehm has declined to comment on the prospect of court proceedings, emphasising that the agency must be allowed to carry out its work independently.
