Ongoing Strategies for Wide-Scale Restoration in Grugabad
The city council of Essen has commissioned Sports and Baths Operations to prioritise a plan for the renovation of the historic Grugabad, which includes the building installations and swimming pool technology. The decision was made on November 30, 2022, with the aim of securing the historic substance and ensuring sustainable swimming operations for the coming years.
The council has decided to continue planning the comprehensive renovation of the Grugabad, with an estimated budget of 5.48 million euros. The historic building will be restored and updated to meet current standards, with a focus on monument protection, safety, hygiene, and energy efficiency.
The SBE was commissioned by the city council in 2020 to prepare the project for the planning of the renovation of the Grugabad and the concept of an all-year-round bath. A multi-stage negotiating procedure with a prior competitive dialogue procedure was initiated for the comprehensive renovation of the Grugabad.
The Grundstücksverwaltung Essen GmbH (GVE) has been commissioned to manage the project, with a contract sum of approximately 1 million euros. The design planning (LP 3) for the Grugabad's renovation is expected to be completed by May 2026.
Five binding offers were submitted, including concepts for renovation and optional use as a year-round pool. However, plans for the construction of a year-round pool will not be pursued for the time being, with decisions to be made by April 2028 at the latest. The further development of the Grugabad as an all-year-round bath is subject to a financial reservation due to budgetary and credit restrictions.
The appointment of the general planner for the comprehensive renovation of the Grugabad is currently scheduled for June 2025. The construction start decision for the Grugabad's renovation is planned for October 2026, with construction set to begin in the same month. The completion of the Grugabad's comprehensive renovation is expected by March 31, 2029.
The Grugabad was entered in the monument list of the city portal on September 3, 2020, and the monument authority has been involved in the planning process. The offer of the best bidder forms the basis for the upcoming planning phase, but the best-ranked bidder for the general planning of the comprehensive renovation of the Grugabad has yet to be publicly announced.
The decisions on further planning for the roofing of the non-swimmer's pool and the possible implementation of an all-year-round operation will be made at the latest by April 30, 2028. The city council looks forward to the successful completion of the Grugabad's renovation, ensuring its continued service as a cherished landmark and a valuable community asset.
