Construction of the pool building began in the 1980s. Its structural frame initially served various purposes, and the indoor pool itself was not completed until the early 1990s, opening to the public in 1994. “Throughout its operation, only limited improvements were made—an extension of the administrative area, the addition of a water slide and a whirlpool, the replacement of lockers and partial replacement of ceramic tiling,” said David Šimek, Mayor of Svitavy. “The pool building had reached a poor technical condition, particularly its exterior envelope and roof, which allowed heat to escape and cold air to enter. At one point, several buckets had to be placed under the roof to catch rainwater. The technology was also beyond its service life. Visitor expectations have changed as well—people now expect a higher level of comfort. The original facility lacked wellness features, with the exception of two steam cabins and a small whirlpool,” Šimek added.

The refurbished indoor swimming pool, with a capacity of 183 people, now offers visitors a 25-metre main pool, a children’s pool for the youngest swimmers, a range of water attractions, two steam saunas, a relaxation area, a new interactive water slide, and a large whirlpool. The pool is also equipped with a lifting device for people with reduced mobility. The pool technology has been modernised and expanded to support the new facilities. Safety has also been a priority: the main pool is now fitted with a drowning detection system that continuously monitors movement in the water and alerts lifeguards to any potential emergency.

The total cost of the refurbishment reached CZK 211 million (excluding VAT), with the city of Svitavy receiving a CZK 40 million grant from the National Sports Agency. “The project is also co‑financed by the Operational Programme Environment, which provided a grant of CZK 22 million,” Šimek concluded.

The project documentation was prepared by Atelier 11 Hradec Králové. The construction contractor selected for the project was VCES a.s., which has a strong track record of similar projects, such as those completed in Pardubice and Rychnov nad Kněžnou.

“We were given eighteen months to complete the refurbishment of the Svitavy indoor pool,” said Zdeněk Pokorný, Chairman of the Board of VCES a.s. “During the renovation, all non‑load‑bearing structures were replaced, load‑bearing structures were repaired, the roof and façade were replaced and insulated, and all pool technology and building services were fully renewed. The most demanding task was the reconstruction of the pool basin to ensure it meets competition standards set by swimming associations. In this case, every millimetre counted,” Pokorný added.