Swimming pool in Bagni di lucca

The swimming pool has now closed for the summer and beyond. The current people who have run the pool for the last few years will not be back. I do hope the council has plans in place to re open next summer or Bagni will attract even fewer tourists. Does anyone have any news on this?

Lancashire Lass

There was an article in the Sunday edition of il tirreno about the pool closure, things do not look hopeful at the moment.
http://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2013/10/06/news/chiusa-l-attivita-della-piscina-di-villa-ada-1.7875520

Actually it's the first we've heard of it, as we don't get to the Public pool much during the Summer as we have our own little pool. I personally think that it will survive and that someone will step in as it should be quite a lucrative business if managed correctly. Also Bagni has too much to loose if it lets it close permanently as it is probably one of the only 3 attractions in Bagni.

The current economic crisis has done a lot of damage, particularly amongst the locals, who are the ones who regularly use the pool. Obviously, expenses are high and the income generated does not cover them. In any case, Council seems to be doing something about it : Council Notice
Let's hope that a solution will be found.

For those who do not know what we are talking about, here is a link with photos A pool with a view
No ordinary pool. A real asset that should be preserved. Very popular, but there is a real unemployment problem in the area right now and many families cannot afford these "luxuries". Local children need this pool for exercise and I do hope that Council will keep this in mind when they will renegotiate conditions.

What a lovely pool!

What a gorgeous setting for a pool.  There is an olympic size one in Villafranca without the fantastic backdrop. Although 6 euros doesn't seem a fortune, costs add up when you take along a couple of children.  Some pools reduce the cost after 3pm, and that is acutally a better time for young children as the sun is beginning to lose some of its fierceness.  I hope the council takes an imaginative approach to opening times and charges if they reopen.

As you both say, the pool is fabulous and the setting is fantastic. There is also an undercover pool which uses thermal water and it is naturally heated and this one is very important for therapeutic activities, particularly for adults and seniors. And I also agree, for many local families, costs may be too high because of the current economic crisis. So many people are affected. Personally, I do not use the pool because I stopped going to pools when I reached the age of 60... I don't like the way I look in swimmers... just a personal thing. And my husband prefers to swim in the river as we have a natural pool just downstairs. But I strongly believe that the swimming pool is very important for many people in the area.

We use the pool a lot, and believe me the view as you swim up and down is wonderful!! The weather has not been kind to Bagni this year and the pool lost a lot of custom because of it. Some days when we went we were the only people swimming in the water. It is cheaper after 4.00pm, but that is a little late for us. It is 6 Euros to go in but if you want a sun bed that is another 3 Euros. You have to pay for the hot showers as well, but as we live on the doorstep we don't bother until we get home. Whilst the numbers of visitors were down this year it is as Flip says one of the biggest attractions in Bagni and would be a big loss.

Perhaps Council should look at lowering the cost of the lease so that some savings could be passed on to the public. The important thing is to keep the pool open.

The Comune must realise that the Pool is probably BdL's best asset and must ensure it's survival at all costs. If it goes what is left, the Spa and Tennis club and a few uninteresting walks; that will be the end of Bagni as any tourist attraction, now the Casino is being left to return to rack and ruin.

Well, time to put on their thinking caps... for the good of Bagni di Lucca's residents mainly, as I do not think that many tourists (unless they are long term holidaymakers)  wii be too interested in either the Tennis Club or even the pool (no matter how magnificent it is). Certainly, the Spas are a great attraction and they should be restored and preserved, but also promoted in an efficient way to attract visitors. The beautiful Casino is another big problem as the concept that they try to implement would have never worked... and it didn't. People will not bother to go to the first European Casino and a beautiful -although small- building to play electronic poker machines that they may find at any bar. It is the historic place where "roulette" was invented and there was a unique opportunity to create a totally different concept combining an interactive museum with some roulette and blackjack tables more for fun than seious gambling. This could attract lots of visitors. What is needed is imagination and flair. And sorry, Flip, I do not agree with your "uninteresting" walks  comment. There are lots of interesting ones if people look a bit into the history of the area. There is an excellent guide written by the current Mayor, Dr Betti and Professor Cherubini that has always helped me to discover places of interest. I also recommend Debra Kolkka's blogs, "Bella Bagni di Lucca" and "Bagni di Lucca and Beyond" (I have quoted them in the past) to anyone wanting to know more about our beautiful town and region. Sometimes I wish I was younger to be able to put my words into action...

Gala the reason the Casino has been left in the state it has is because the owners were prevented from getting a proper licence to operate a Casino with real tables etc.(History apparently plays no part in this) as Italy apparently has it quota of licensed gambling establishments, so ergo the place will remain shut until further notice as no 'useful' purpose can be found for it.
My comment re the walks was probably a bit over critical, but at this time of year it is really impractical to go on walks to saunter around our countryside (what with hunters poping away and the like) and one could see all Bagni has to offer in a brisk 45 minute stroll.

Are you sure about it, Flip? I can vaguely remember that back around 2008-2009 a license was granted to operate a casino in Bagni di Lucca (and other locations in Italy) but I did not know that it was restricted to electronic gambling machines against traditional casino operations. I am still trying to find my source and I will eventually let you know. I do not understand how they could imagine that having this type of "casino" and a starting lease of some 100,000€ a year would be viable. Bakoo, the original lessee, is a company that specializes in electronic gambling... It absolutely beats me. The Casino is a jewel and should be another asset for Bagni di Lucca. For those who do not know much about this wonderful place, I am borrowing, again, Debra Kolkka's blog [url=http://bellabagnidilucca.com/2012/02/19/bagni-di-lucca-has- http://bellabagnidilucca.com/2012/02/19/bagni-di-lucca-has-the-first-casino-in-europe/ -first-casino-in-europe/]Bagni di Lucca's Casino[/url]

Great news! On Monday, the swimming pools will reopen. Council has found new caretakers who are also going to have talks with schools and organizations who may use the pool in order to improve its use and services.

Unusually clever for local government, either in Italy or the UK!

8o)

Perhaps the fact that the pool is a major asset for Bagni di Lucca may have prompted these moves. The new caretakers are going to be contacting interested parties. I guess that Council may have reduced the lease and this is going to benefit everyone. As I said before, we do not frequent the pool; however, it is most important for the local population, both young and old.

Is that just the indoor pool Gala?

The Facebook entry for Progetto Rinascimento Bagni di Lucca talks about the reopening of the complex as from this Monday and mentions "swimming pools" in the plural; however, I am not certain whether the outdoor ones will be open at this time of the year. When we visited the pool in the past, they told us that only the indoor pool was open throughout the year... But the main thing is that the complex is open again.

and by indoor they mean an inflatable tent structure, the outdoor ones remain closed until summer time.

... think having a pool of some kind is essential for a lot of visitors, so this is great news for the area...  

Good new and even a sauna! Update swimming centre

Gala, excuse me for being an old skeptic, but the bit about the Sauna, was put forward to make it all seem that the new 'Management' will add to facilities there, along with free sessions etc.
Being in Marketing myself this is exactly the right response to ensure funding from the Comune for the foreseeable future, for intended improvements to the service. However with excellent Spa/Sauna facilities on the doorstep and a dwindling revenue stream, I suspect this is a ploy to get the backing of the Comune and local 'Businesses'.

Well, we will have to wait and see... won't we? In any case, I do not think that the Comune has got much money, at the moment. Or am I wrong?

Hi everyone. Has the pool in the grounds of Villa Ada in Bagni re-opened yet?  Please let it be good news.