Reopening of the Babelsberg lido: A celebration for the whole family!

Reopening of the Babelsberg lido: A celebration for the whole family!

The wait is over! After almost two years of construction, the Park Babelsberg lido in Potsdam is about to reopen. Mayor Burkhard Exner handed over the key to the newly renovated lido on Saturday morning, June 28, 2025. With an open day on July 5th, where visitors can enjoy free entry, Potsdam is not only celebrating the return of the popular swimming pool, but also the 20th anniversary of its pool complex.

The modern and barrier-free lido is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Babelsberg Park. The opening not only marks a milestone for the city, but also brings extensive improvements for bathers. “With the new city pool, we offer a wide range of options for all age groups,” said Mayor Exner. The renovation work, which began with the laying of the foundation stone in 2023, faced several challenges, including land issues and historic preservation requirements, which ultimately led to several delays. The opening was originally planned for 2022.

A place of community

The new equipment includes, among other things, barrier-free access, family-friendly sanitary facilities and special facilities for people with disabilities. A guidance system for the blind, changing rooms suitable for the disabled and paved paths are also part of the innovations. In addition, the Potsdam Sea Sports Club will be integrated into the new concept: a multifunctional building offers modern club rooms and a boat hall. “A place is being created here that is suitable for leisure and relaxation as well as sporting activities,” explains a spokesman for the Potsdam swimming pool area.

But why did the opening take so long? In addition to bureaucratic hurdles, the main reasons for the delays were material procurement problems and increased construction prices. While the original construction costs were estimated at around 4 million euros, the final amount is now around 9 million euros. The federal government funded this project with 1.6 million euros to ensure high quality and meet the monument protection requirements.

A look into the future

With the reopening of the park pool, Potsdam now has a total of four modern outdoor pools available. This is a valuable asset for the city and its citizens. The historical atmosphere of the location is preserved by reusing old furnishings, so that tradition and modernity are harmoniously combined. The modernization of the lido and the creation of a historical circular route through the castle foundation are particularly noteworthy.

In the coming weeks there will certainly be a lot of activity at the Park Babelsberg lido when the gates open to all curious visitors. The clubs on the lake are also secured, but unfortunately the uncertain fate of these sports facilities remained uncertain during the renovation. But with all the innovations and support from the community, we can look forward to the official opening with great anticipation.

For more exciting details about the opening and upcoming celebrations, check out the coverage rbb24, SWP Potsdam and Development city track.