KölnBäder Start the Outdoor Pool Season with New Features

(eap) Tomorrow, May 10, the KölnBäder (public pools of Cologne) will officially start the new outdoor pool season. This will be accompanied by the introduction of new services and a special anniversary. “Our outdoor pools are important places for recreation, exercise and social interaction in the city, especially in summer. We are therefore more pleased to be starting the season with fresh ideas and safe operations again this year,” emphasizes Claudia Heckmann, Managing Director of KölnBäder.

A central element remains the so-called “outdoor pool traffic light”, with which the KölnBäder inform about the current openings of the outdoor pools. Three days in advance, the website shows which outdoor pools are open when the weather is suitable. “This planning security is just as helpful for our guests as it is for our staff planning,” explains Marc Riemann, Head of Pool Operations Management. Regardless of the traffic light system, the Ossendorfbad and Höhenbergbad will remain open throughout the season. Also, there is something new at the Stadionbad: an unheated outdoor pool will always be open for outdoor swimmers, which is the pool’s response to the wishes of guests. An anniversary is also being celebrated: The Höhenbergbad celebrates 50 years. “We’re kicking off with a big birthday party on May 10: hands-on stations, a water course and children’s activities will keep everyone in a good mood. Further activities will follow in the course of the year,” says Heckmann.

Another innovation is the introduction of UV index boards at all KölnBäder outdoor swimming pools as part of the “Watch Out” project of the German Cancer Aid and the Working Group for Dermatological Prevention (ADP). The campaign is a joint initiative of the Cologne Health Department and the skin cancer prevention project “The Sun and Us” of the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne at the University of Cologne and the Department of Dermatology at Cologne University Hospital. The boards will provide daily information on the current UV radiation intensity and use a colour system to indicate which protective measures are recommended – from choosing shady spots to suitable clothing and the use of sunscreen. Visitors can also call up the UV index on their smartphone via an integrated QR code and receive additional information about UV protection.

“With this step, we want to make our guests, especially families with children, even more aware of the issue of UV protection and provide them with a simple guide,” explains Riemann. “The Watch Out project lives from its partners who implement it locally. KölnBäder is thus a pioneer in North Rhine-Westphalia and sends a clear signal for the prevention of skin cancer in everyday life. After all, too much UV radiation increases the risk of skin cancer,” says Henriette Bunde, spokesperson for the Working Group for Dermatological Prevention. ■