School Bern City Council in favor of preserving the Kleefeld teaching pool

The teaching pool in the Kleefeld school complex should be retained. This is what the Bern City Council is demanding. On Thursday, it passed an urgent motion from the GB, SVP, SP, GFL and FDP by 59 votes to 11.

According to the motion, the municipal council should draw up a proposal for the renovation of the teaching pool. The municipal government estimates the costs at around seven million francs.

In May 2019, the people voted in favor of renovating the Kleefeld school complex. In the referendum message at the time, it was pointed out that the teaching pool would no longer be renovated and would be closed "in a few years".

The municipal council still believes this is the right approach. Although it understands the concerns of the petitioners, Education Director Franziska Teuscher (GB) told the council. However, the city government is sticking to its decision for financial reasons.

Learning to swim is of fundamental importance for children, according to the debate. Although there are two other teaching pools in the west of Bern, these are already heavily utilized. The journey to the new Neufeld swimming pool could not be expected of the children.

Private lessons could not be afforded by financially disadvantaged parents, it continued. The supporters of the renovation have also launched a petition, which over 1500 people have signed.

The motion that was passed on Thursday is a directive motion. The issue is therefore the responsibility of the municipal council.