Bernkastel-Kues: The entrance to the Moselbad will be more expensive

Over the past two years, millions of euros have flowed into the necessary renovation of the Moselbad in Bernkastel-Kues. The swimming pool, which dates from the early 1970s, has an outdoor and an indoor pool and has been extensively renovated in terms of energy efficiency. Furthermore, the showers and other areas have been completely renovated.

The sports committee of the municipality of Bernkastel-Kues has meanwhile decided to raise the admission prices.

The reason for this is the enormous increase in energy costs, as Mayor Leo Wächter explains. For this reason, the admission price structure was again discussed in committee. The jury decided to increase the prices: for adults up to 70%. The price of single admission for adults should therefore be increased from 3.50 euros to 6 euros. Admission for children and teenagers from 2 euros to 3.50 euros. The card for 10 adults with an 80% savings will cost 48 euros instead of 28 euros in the future. The 40 card with a saving of 71 percent instead of 100 euros 170 euros.

Using the example of the single pass for the outdoor pool, the committee calculated that, on the basis of current prices, using the pool on 50% of the days it is open saves 54% compared to single entry, using it on 75 percent of the days it is open. opening days you save 69 percent and using it you have a saving of 77 percent on all opening days.

With a season ticket for the indoor and outdoor pools, the savings in the use of the pool on 50 percent of the days it is open is 82 percent compared to single admission, in use on 75 percent of the days it is open 88 percent and in usage on all open days 91 percent. The commission concluded that previous passes were “very cheap” and that even with average use of the annual pass compared to single entry, there is only an 18 per cent cost recovery.

A modern payment system was also introduced as part of the construction works. For this purpose, a web shop has been set up where bathers can book a ticket, receive a QR code and use it to pass through the turnstile into the pool.

Under this system, selling season tickets is difficult because a season ticket allows unlimited entry throughout the season. The corresponding QR code could be transferred to other people and therefore all the people in possession of the QR code would have unlimited access during the validity of the subscription. To exclude this risk of abuse, previous season tickets must be replaced by value cards. Fraud can be prevented with the value card system, as each item is charged. Value cards should be available for a certain amount, but have a higher value. For this purpose, a staggered value card system has been developed: from the 10 to 48 euro card to the 150 to 450 euro card

The value card for ten entries offers bathers a 20 percent saving compared to a single entry. The saving increases continuously and is 50 percent for the value card for 150 entries compared to a single entry.

The chairman noted that although this is a relatively significant increase, it is important to note that prices have not been adjusted for several years and that currently around EUR 2.8 million and some years ago already around EUR 1 million in the restructuring of Moselle baths were invested. It should also be borne in mind that energy costs amount to hundreds of thousands and, together with personnel costs, represent the largest expense. So the increase is reasonable. In addition, the prices for using the club are cheaper and free for all schools. Admission is also free for children up to and including 3 years of age.

The previous family subscription is no longer offered. The admission price increase will apply from the outdoor pool season, probably from May 2023.