The Ísafjörður Swimming Hall is one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland, serving as a centre of culture and communal life in the small colourful fishing town. However, the pool has lacked an outside area. Some have also argued the addition of outside hot tubs should be a priority. But as the town council plans to add an outside area the town finds itself split into opposing camps.
The local news site Bæjarins Besta reports that a planned competition for the design of the addition is meeting stiff opposition in the town council. The conservative Independence party has formally protested the plans, demanding the town focus instead on building a multi-use sports complex. The issue has also sparked an intense debate on social media, where some residents have even called for the closing down of the swimming pool, arguing there are better pools in nearby villages.
Read more: American Magazine covers the “Sauna Wars” which almost tore a Westfjords town apart
The small town of Ísafjörður in the Westfjords has recently gained international fame due to the “sauna-wars” which have divided residents over the question whether swimming trunks should be required at all times in the sauna, or whether it should be permissible to enjoy the steam in the nude. That conflict ended with the victory of the latter camp.
Read more: Sauna-activists in the Westfjords celebrate victory in the great sauna-swimsuit conflict
The Ísafjörður Swimming Hall is one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland, serving as a centre of culture and communal life in the small colourful fishing town. However, the pool has lacked an outside area. Some have also argued the addition of outside hot tubs should be a priority. But as the town council plans to add an outside area the town finds itself split into opposing camps.
The local news site Bæjarins Besta reports that a planned competition for the design of the addition is meeting stiff opposition in the town council. The conservative Independence party has formally protested the plans, demanding the town focus instead on building a multi-use sports complex. The issue has also sparked an intense debate on social media, where some residents have even called for the closing down of the swimming pool, arguing there are better pools in nearby villages.
Read more: American Magazine covers the “Sauna Wars” which almost tore a Westfjords town apart
The small town of Ísafjörður in the Westfjords has recently gained international fame due to the “sauna-wars” which have divided residents over the question whether swimming trunks should be required at all times in the sauna, or whether it should be permissible to enjoy the steam in the nude. That conflict ended with the victory of the latter camp.
Read more: Sauna-activists in the Westfjords celebrate victory in the great sauna-swimsuit conflict
