Neptun Swimming Pool

Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-34725-0002 / CC-BY-SA [CC-BY-SA-3.0-de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

Europe’s most modern indoor swimming pool was opened in 1955 in the Hanseatic city of Rostock on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the foundation of the German Democratic Republic. After the three years of its construction the indoor swimming pool was dedicated to its intention on the 7th of October. Three years later the adjacent outdoor pool was opened with 8 competition lanes and a diving area, which had to be closed at the end of the 80s because of structural defects. In 1963 the teaching pool was opened for use and in the hall complex several gyms were built. In 1971 the 50-meter pool hall was built which remained reserved for competitive sport.

The “Neptun” indoor swimming pool was built in 1955 according to the latest technical expertise. It was the only swimming pool hall in which it was possible to do high diving from a 10-meter tower. Two lifts brought the athletes onto the 10-meter platform.

It was also new that the coaches were able to watch the plunge of the athletes into the water through underwater windows and send their observations to the athletes immediately by the help of an intercom system. The adjacent 25-meter pool had a time measuring system and was at the most up-to-date training status at the time. A children’s teaching pool and two gyms completed the swimming-pool complex.

In preparation for the European Championships in high diving in 2013 and 2015 extensive modernizations measures have been implemented. A total investment of EUR 4.3 million for the modernization of the swimming pool is intended. New referee’s tables, improvement of the sound insulation, installation of new electrical and media technology, expansion of the interfaces for telecommunication and a WLAN system, reconditioning of the benches, making the whole hall accessible to the handicapped, a new scoreboard and the implementation of the fire protection concept in the entire swimming pool complex as well as in the cellar rooms will be carried out. Until 2012 EUR 2.8 million have already been invested in the indoor swimming pool. In addition to competitive sport, school and popular sport as well as all other users will benefit from these investments.