The record number of visitors reflects the active and sporty lifestyle of the people of Tampere and the importance of swimming pools as a promoter of well-being. The facilities serve a wide range of users, including swimming clubs’ training and competition groups, school swimming classes, city-organized swimming schools and water exercise groups, as well as independent swimmers.
Hanna Murotie, Head of Sports Services responsible for the swimming pools, is delighted with this historic achievement.
– This is a great indication that Tampere offers excellent and equal opportunities for swimming. Diverse activities tailored for different target groups and affordable pricing are at the core of our services. We listen to customer feedback and continuously develop our offerings. For example, the range of guided exercise groups has been developed based on customer wishes, says Murotie, explaining the factors that affect visitor numbers.
– The seasonal wristband, introduced a year ago, has proved to be by far the most popular ticket product. It is an excellent example of how the city can encourage regular and continuous mobility, a goal that has clearly been achieved, says Hanna Murotie.
Most of the visitors to the pools are adults and seniors. In particular, people over 65 have been active in taking advantage of the free swimming sessions. By 5 December, more than 140 000 seniors had taken advantage of this benefit, proving its effectiveness in promoting physical activity among older residents.
The reason for the free service is to encourage seniors to be more active and lead a more active lifestyle.
– Swimming pools play an important role in the physical and social well-being of seniors. Well-being consists of many different factors, and research has shown that an active everyday life supports seniors' quality of life and their ability to cope with everyday life, says Murotie.
Young people account for a smaller share of visits, though the outdoor pool has been especially popular among them. Attendance there was slightly lower than in previous years, likely due to unstable summer weather. The quality of the swimming water has remained at an excellent level, despite high usage. The water quality is constantly monitored and hygiene in the pools is ensured by regular cleaning. The importance of competent and professional staff is a cornerstone of the overall service package.
– We owe thanks to all staff and partners who welcome our customers and take care of essential operations and safety in Tampere’s swimming pools, Murotie says.
The demand for new swimming pools and water space is high; already today, the number of senior swimmers, for example, is calculated to cover the annual attendance at the Tesoma Swimming Pool. Swimming skills and their development have also been a major focus this year. Swimming instruction as a whole is being actively developed in cooperation with basic education. The work done by the local swimming clubs and cooperation with them is valuable, and it would be desirable for the conditions for growth in club activities to develop as well.
– Learning to swim is an important basic skill and a life skill. We encourage parents to come swimming with their children, because you can only learn to swim by swimming, sums up Murotie.
