Amidst a residential neighborhood in Uhingen, an open-to-the-public outdoor swimming pool has set up shop.
In the quaint town of Uhingen, population 14,000, a distinctive addition has taken residence—a public swimming pool situated amid the residential district. A novelty in the region, the pool marks the opening of a new sports center, its unique location a manifestation of local swim enthusiast Achim Gall's long-standing dreams.
Local landmarks led Gall, 69, to make a significant investment: the availability of a plot adjacent to his house in Uhingen, a district of Göppingen. By selling two apartments for approximately €250,000, he financed the construction of the two-lane pool. His principal motivation for the venture aims at sharing his love for swimming, with a particular focus on helping children acquire this essential skill.
At a modest gathering on a Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Matthias Wittlinger (CDU) and state MP Sarah Schweizer (CDU) graced the opening event. Despite the absence of multiple world swimming champion Franzi van Almsick due to her vacation, the opening created quite a stir in the small community. For the inauguration, Gall even extended an invitation to Almsick, who had to decline.
The water temperature moderated at around 21 degrees Celsius, making a dip too bracing for many guests. Yet, undeterred, Gall took a swift dip in the cool waters. As the owner, he plans to manage the pool operations initially. The demand for additional staff will be assessed based on usage. During instructional periods, course instructors will bear the responsibility. During off-hours, the pool will welcome the public for €3.50.
Gall envisioned his home-and-garden becoming an integration of outdoor-living and lifestyle, with a public swimming pool as its highlight. The new pool, positioned next to his house, is a testament to his investment and a reflection of his passion for swimming, particularly encouraging children to learn this essential skill.
