Freiberg - Freezing docks receive too much rain this season
Rainy weather has disrupted the Freibad visitors in Saxony so far this season. The facilities have recorded a visitor decrease of 25 percent or more, as inquiries with various bath operators revealed. Complicating matters is the early start of the Saxon summer holidays: Many people are currently traveling.
In Chemnitz, a total of 18,359 guests have been counted in the three municipal baths (as of July 7). At the same time last year, there had been 25,856 people, the city reported. Primarily, this can be attributed to the weather. "Unfortunately, we are still missing a consistent high summer phase with sunny weather and corresponding temperatures," the city stated.
The Dresden baths have registered roughly a quarter fewer visitors than the previous year, as spokesperson Lars Kühl reported. "The very changeable, seldom summery weather is negatively affecting visitor numbers. Construction sites near baths Cotta and Dölzschen have also made access difficult."
Early Summer Holidays in Saxony
The early start of the summer holidays in Saxony is also unfavorable because many potential guests are currently traveling. "Perhaps we will experience a rush in August when the holidays are over and the summer perhaps finally shows its better side," Kühl said.
In the two Plauen baths, only slightly more than half as many visitors have been counted as last year. By July 9, 10,040 bathing guests had come (2023: 18,985). The baths were delayed in starting the season due to the cold and rainy weather, Ronny Adler, managing director of the Plauen Baths GmbH, reported. After that, there were "numerous closure days" due to rain and thunderstorms.
Hoping for Summer Weather
In Leipzig, roughly 65,000 people have visited the baths so far, according to Marc Backhaus, spokesperson for the L-Group. Last year, there had been 85,000 people at the same time. "Wetter, Wetter, Wetter," Backhaus also named as the cause. The Leipzig baths remain open until September 8. "We are hoping that the summer will finally come."
In Saxony, the weather has significantly impacted the popularity of swimming pools, leading to a decrease in visitors. For instance, Dresden baths have witnessed a 25% decrease in visitors due to the unpredictable weather.
Similarly, in Plauen, the baths have suffered from delayed opening and numerous closure days due to rain and thunderstorms, resulting in only half as many visitors as last year.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, some cities are still hoping for better weather to boost visitor numbers. Leipzig baths, for example, are open until September 8, and spokesperson Marc Backhaus is hopeful that the summer will finally arrive.
Even in Chemnitz, where 18,359 guests have visited so far, the weather has played a significant role in the decrease compared to the previous year. The city expects a potential increase in August once the holidays are over and the weather hopefully improves.
