Urgent repairs required at Balvi swimming pool

This summer, it was discovered that the pool's cover has deteriorated significantly and can no longer be safely operated. Since the city pool is used by a wide range of visitors, its condition and the upcoming renovations could also affect the school learning process, training and other projects. The Balvi swimming pool is usually closed during the summer season, but concerns are already emerging about the next season. The pool's membrane, which has served for more than 15 years, has separated from the pool walls and floor. "It is possible that as the film deforms, cracks are forming somewhere, where water is also getting under the film, between the pool's concrete and this film," said Balvi County Council Chairman Jānis Trupovnieks (Latvian Green Party) in an assessment of the pool's condition. Ludmila Beļikova, director of the Balvi Sports School, agreed with him, saying that the swimming pool has been managed since 2010. "We cannot say how the membrane will react when we have to let in water, change and clean the pool, and we are anxiously awaiting that moment. But in principle, the plans are that we will have to resume operations," Belikova said. According to the municipality's estimates, urgent repairs would cost around 80,000 euros, but this is only a short-term solution. A project for the capital renovation of the entire building was prepared last year. So far, it has not been possible to attract external financing. "This is a very energy-intensive project - the circulation, ventilation systems, and insulation have already served their time, and even last winter showed this.... I really hope that money and additional support for Latgale municipalities and border municipalities could be the source of funding," Turpovnieks pointed out. If state support is not received, the municipality hopes to obtain the consent of the Ministry of Finance to repay part of the municipality's loans later. In January 2024, the then municipal leadership reported a budget deficit of 4.8 million euros. According to Trupovnieks, this is the fateful year when most of the municipal loans must be repaid. A later repayment would allow the currently planned money to be directed towards both pool repairs and another urgent problem – replacing outdated boilers in five schools in the region. "We will be able to repair the pool within one and a half to two months, at least so that it can function, and also ensure the learning process in educational institutions, because winter is always a test and, God forbid, if there is an accident with the heating boilers during the winter," continued Trupovnieks. The Balvi swimming pool is used by school students, as well as residents and people from neighbouring regions, as there are few pools available in this part of the country. Arnis Voika, the head of the Northern Latgale Sports Center, teaches swimming to preschool children. "The Balvi swimming pool is in great demand among the residents of the wider region, and it also attracts support for our business. The financial situation in the Balvi region will only improve if we are able to offer this high-quality sports service," Voika pointed out. Perhaps we should have touched on this topical topic of infrastructure renewal a little more deeply a couple of years ago." admitted Voika. The municipality is already preparing a procurement for the renovation work, so that if funding is obtained, it can begin immediately. The local government emphasized that residents should not worry about the condition and future of the pool, as its opening is scheduled for August 17.