The government is providing a total of 116 million forints in support for the operation of the Szerencs municipal swimming pool in 2026, it was announced at a press conference held at the facility on Tuesday. The aim of the funding is to enable the institution to welcome visitors all year round with uninterrupted, affordable services.
The subsidy was announced by Ádám Schmidt, State Secretary for Sport. He said that the decision to grant the subsidy was made in response to a request from the local council, taking into account that swimming is a basic sport that provides exercise opportunities for a wide range of age groups. He added:
Last year's funding enabled the swimming pool to reopen, and this year's funding is necessary for its continued operation.
Significant interest in the swimming pool following a five-year enforced closure
The swimming pool is primarily used by children, young people and regular local athletes, but therapeutic swimming and baby swimming are also included in the programme offering. The stability of its maintenance is therefore crucial not only for sports clubs, but also for school swimming lessons and recreational sports.
Zsófia Koncz, Member of Parliament for the region, was also present at the press conference, reminding attendees that the swimming pool had reopened after a five-year hiatus and that there had been considerable interest ever since, especially in swimming lessons for children. As she put it, the reopening of the facility was an important milestone in the life of the city.
Attila Kiss, Mayor of Szerencs, said that visitor numbers had been favourable in recent times and that the Szerencs swimming pool had lived up to expectations. He recalled that in 2025, 58 million forints in state subsidies had helped the facility to operate for seven months.
Several sports-related developments have been completed or are underway in the city recently, including the ice rink, which opened in December, and the pump track, which is currently under construction.
However, the support announced now primarily serves to ensure the security of day-to-day operations, which will provide stability for the local community in the longer term.
The question for the coming period may be how visitor numbers will develop alongside the secured funding, and whether the swimming pool's role in the city's sporting life can be further strengthened.
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