Pool access requires a reservation and the presentation of a valid credit card - To access this outdoor swimming pool, advance reservations and credit card validation are mandatory.
In the charming city of Kehl, home to around 38,000 inhabitants, a public pool in the Auenheim district has become a popular destination, especially during hot summer days. With its diving boards, slides, and other amenities, the pool attracts a diverse crowd, including many French bathers who make up about 70% of visitors in the afternoon.
However, the pool's credit card system has been reported to occasionally malfunction, but this hasn't prevented entry for all visitors. To manage the influx of people during peak periods, such as heat waves, the city has introduced online booking and credit card requirements.
These measures are designed to balance safety and capacity, but they may also create access difficulties for some visitors due to the need for advance online booking and credit card payment. Visitors who do not have credit cards or internet access to book online may face access barriers, which can be particularly problematic during heat waves when demand surges.
On the other hand, the online booking system can help manage crowd sizes, improving safety and comfort during crowded heat wave conditions by limiting the number of people allowed in the pool at once. Some visitors might find it less spontaneous or convenient to visit the pool, as they need to plan ahead and complete the booking process.
Despite these challenges, the health and safety regulations implied by such requirements might improve the overall visitor experience by avoiding overcrowding. However, they could also exclude certain demographics, such as tourists or locals without cards.
It's important to note that the legal situation in the non-EU country of Switzerland is different, according to the city hall. Unlike the Swiss town of Pruntrut, Kehl does not intend to introduce a swimming ban for foreign day visitors.
The city has seen incidents involving the police, including a fight at the pool exit in mid-June. Nine young people from a neighboring country were banned following these incidents.
Exceptions to the online booking rules are made for pensioners, people with disabilities, and groups. These exceptions aim to ensure that the measures do not unduly burden certain vulnerable demographics.
In summary, while the measures can improve safety and order at the pool during heat waves, they may also create access difficulties for some visitors due to the need for advance online booking and credit card payment, impacting spontaneity and inclusivity. No specific data on Kehl’s public pool policies or visitor effects during heat waves was found in the provided results.
- The community policy for the public pool in Kehl's Auenheim district includes an online booking system and credit card requirements, designed to balance safety, capacity, and manage the influx of people during peak periods.
- Some visitors, such as those without internet access or credit cards, might face access barriers due to the online booking and credit card payment requirements, particularly during heat waves when demand surges.
- The city of Kehl has implemented exceptions to the online booking rules for pensioners, people with disabilities, and groups to avoid unduly burdening vulnerable demographics.
- Despite the challenges posed by the new policies, they aim to improve overall visitor experience by avoiding overcrowding and maintaining order at the pool, especially during hot summer days, which is crucial for lifestyle, food-and-drink, and travel experiences in Kehl.
