Kaiserslautern’s Warmfreibad and Waschmühle public pools will increase their entry prices during the 2024 summer, local newspaper The Rheinpfalz reported. (Kaiserslautern City)

Kaiserslautern city officials plan to raise entrance fees for its two public swimming pools, a measure aimed at addressing the financial strain on municipal budgets, local newspaper Die Rheinpfalz reported.

Sports council officials this week agreed to make prices at the Warmfreibad and Waschmühle pools 4.50 euros for adults. The suggested prices pose an increase of 40 cents for swimmers at Warmfreibad and 1.50 euros for Waschmühle from the previous year. Kids will pay 2.30 euros at both pools, instead of 1.60 euros at Waschmühle pool last year.

The proposed increases are the first since 2018, according to the report.

The decision, which is pending city council approval, is a response to the pools’ operational deficits, which continue to require substantial subsidies from the city.

Despite the increases, officials expect the pools to remain a financial burden, with the 2023 swimming season showing nearly 2 million euros in expenses against just over 300,000 euros in revenue.

Additionally, the city is addressing staffing challenges that affected previous seasons and planning significant repairs and upgrades, including a new, energy-saving pump in the Warmfreibad that reduces electricity consumption equivalent to 37 single-family homes annually.