Starting on King’s Day, the Suikerterrein will be home to the newest city beach in Groningen and De Papiermolen public pool will be reopening following 18 months of renovations.
Translation by Traci White
Swimming season in the city of Groningen is set to officially get underway this coming weekend with the opening of a new city beach at the Suikerterrein and the grand re-opening of De Papiermolen in the Helpman neighbourhood.
The Groninger Internet Courant reports that the new city beach is part of the Rebel Rebel hostel, but the hostel owners say that the beach is open to everyone. The beach with be kitted out with beach chairs, hammocks, a boat on the Hoendiep itself and a small bar. Since the opening coincides with King’s Day, festivities will include old fashioned Dutch games and a mini flea market.
Also opening on Saturday is De Papiermolen, a large public pool complex in the Helpman neighbourhood. Dagblad van het Noorden writes that the complex was closed for a year and a half for more environmentally-friendly upgrades which cost around 3 million euros.
According to OOG TV, the pools on the site are now heated by underground wastewater and the showers rely on solar energy. The bottoms of all of the pools were also replaced, and covers will be placed on the pools overnight to keep them from losing heat. The official grand opening will take place on 18 May with an obstacle course, mermaid swimming classes and other water sports.
The city of Groningen is already home to a popular city beach at DOT, which is also set to open in the coming days: Sikkom reports that the sand should be ready for sun worshippers from Friday onward. There are nine public pools in the city of Groningen, including three outdoor facilities: De Papiermolen, Hoogkerk and de Blinkerd.
