Krakow residents will finally be able to enjoy a new swimming pool and recreation center on Eisenberga Street. Ready since April 2021, the complex, designed by the ProjektyGotowe.pl office, stood empty because it had no tenant. Finally, at the end of June this year, as a result of a second tender, the Sports Infrastructure Management Board selected an operator who is ready to pay more than 25,000 per month and implement the second phase of the project, which proposed an open swimming pool.
A new swimming pool and recreation facility, reminiscent of onsen - traditional Japanese bathing facilities, as well as modern barn-style buildings - has been erected on the site of the former ruined 1970s Krakowianka Sports Center, known as Polfa. The entire cost of the investment, amounting to more than 56 million zlotys. was borne by the Municipality of Krakow.
The architecture of the facility combines Japanese minimalism with the style of a modern barn
Photo: Michal Sobolewski © ZIS
pandemic an obstacle
Unfortuitously, the completion of the construction work coincided with the pandemic and the facility, which had been worked on since 2018, has been standing empty since April this year, despite the first tender. The Sports Infrastructure Management Board therefore announced another tender in May, and in July a contract was signed with the tenant selected through a competition. ZIS hopes to open the new center as early as the end of this month.
The facade was made of natural materials - slate, wood and iron
photo: Michal Sobolewski © ZIS
The completion of work on the pool building on Eisenberga Street coincided with the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting restrictions, which significantly limited the ability to operate swimming pools or fitness and spa facilities. This did not go unnoticed on the outcome of the first oral open tender for the lease of the property, which ended with a negative result. The Board of Sports Infrastructure in Krakow on May 17, 2021 announced a second oral open tender for the lease of the facility, which ended in the selection of the operator. On July 9 this year, at the headquarters of the Board of Sports Infrastructure in Krakow, a meeting took place between representatives of the Board of Sports Infrastructure and the tenant of the property located at 4 Eisenberga Street - Agata Stelnik, running a business under the name "Agata Stelnik. Deliver Services". During the meeting, a lease agreement was signed for an indefinite period of time, concerning the operation of the swimming pool, wellness area and gym, as well as the implementation of the second stage of the project, which includes the construction of an outdoor swimming pool with accompanying infrastructure, and the operation of the business upon completion. The facility is already in the hands of the tenant, who is preparing for the planned July/August opening, explains Michal Sobolewski, spokesman for the Sports Infrastructure Authority.
A 25-meter swimming pool with a movable bottom
photo: Michal Sobolewski © ZIS
a reference to its former glory
Architects from ProjektyGotowe.pl were faced with a daunting task - to create a modern, functional and aesthetically pleasing complex that would attract residents and refer to the history of the former Polfa swimming pools, crowded with visitors in the 1980s-90s. The investor also wanted the center to stand out with interesting architecture and to combine multiple functions - swimming pool, spa and fitness center.
According to the provisions of the local zoning plan, the newly designed buildings could only be located in previously developed and unplanted areas, which significantly determined the location and spatial layout of the complex. The significant difference in the height of the land, occurring in part of the plot - more than three meters - in turn forced the architects to look for simple forms, suitable for both dismemberment and their cascading connection, a reflection of the significant slope of the land. In the end, the designers were inspired by the classic barn form. We can also find inspiration in traditional Japanese geothermal baths.
The individual buildings differ in their level of location
photo: Michal Sobolewski © ZIS
Japanese minimalism and a modern barn
The architects gave the buildings the form of modern barns, connected by gable walls and cascading down. Due to their different functions, the individual buildings differ in their level of location, span and roof ridge height. To achieve a feeling of simplicity, the architects have dispensed with the use of windows as a rhythm, and the interiors are illuminated by large glazing, filling almost the entire wall surfaces. The facades, as well as the interiors, are finished with natural materials characteristic of traditional Polish and Japanese architecture - stone (natural slate), wood and iron.
Foyer with ticket office and cabinets
photo: Michal Sobolewski © ZIS
pool, fitness and wellness area
The main entrance to the pool building and the fitness building is through an entrance portal located centrally and connecting the two places functionally and spatially. The pool hall has one underground floor, which is the technological base of the pool, and two above-ground floors. The fitness building consists of three above-ground floors - a multi-storey open parking lot, fitness and gym rooms with hygiene and sanitary facilities, and a usable attic.
The complex also houses a gymnasium
photo: Michał Sobolewski © ZIS
After entering the swimming pool building, one can go to the foyer with the cashier's office, reception desk, store, checkroom and toilets, or climb the stairs to the first floor, where the wellness area and administration room are located. From the foyer, after passing through the cashier's staff, one walks to the locker room and toilet complex, and then along a corridor, terminating in a wading pool for foot disinfection, to the pool hall, where one can use: a 25-meter pool with a moving bottom, a 16-meter pool for learning to swim, a children's wading pool and whirlpools.
pool for learning to swim
Photo: Michal Sobolewski © ZIS
On the other hand, on the second floor, independent of the swimming pool, there is a wellness zone, with a hammam, salt grotto, steam sauna, Finnish sauna, herbal sauna, sensory path, foot soaking pool, and even an ice cube maker by the free-standing showers along with a relaxation zone. From this zone it is possible to access the outdoor terrace.
As part of the contract signed in July, the operator is also obliged to build the second stage of the project - an outdoor swimming pool - within two years, and an outdoor heated basin with accompanying infrastructure within the next three. Let's hope that this time everything will work out and Cracovians will be able to use the center later this summer.
