One of the most in-demand municipal swimming pools in Nicosia will not reopen this summer, leaving residents of the Aglantzia area without their usual place of recreation during the hot season. Citizens will have to look for alternative options for swimming, often far beyond their district.
According to local authorities, the municipal swimming pool will remain closed for the second consecutive year, and there is still no exact date for its reopening. The situation is causing dissatisfaction among residents, especially given the hot climate of Cyprus, where access to such facilities becomes an important part of urban infrastructure.
Reasons for the delay and new timeline
Initially, the facility was closed back in 2024 for a large-scale reconstruction. However, as it became known, the actual work never began. According to the latest data, the start of repairs is now planned only for September 2026, which automatically shifts the possible reopening to 2027 or even later.
The main reasons for the delay are cited as complex bureaucratic procedures related to the modernization of the facility, as well as the need for a complete energy renovation. In the context of rising prices for construction materials and stricter energy efficiency requirements, projects of this scale require significantly more time and resources.
Funding and government involvement
The issue of funding has been partially resolved: it has been preliminarily agreed that an amount of 1.3 million euros will be allocated by the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA). Additional expenses related to the energy upgrade will be covered by the municipality.
At the moment, the parties are awaiting official written confirmation of the funding, after which it will be possible to proceed to the practical implementation of the project. For now, the process remains at the approval stage, which is what causes further delays.
Context and impact on residents
It is worth recalling that in the summer of 2024 the pool was completely closed, and in 2025 its operation resumed only for a short period. Since then, the facility has remained inaccessible to the public. Against the backdrop of an increasing population and rising temperatures during the summer months, the issue of access to public swimming pools is becoming increasingly relevant.
In recent years, Nicosia has faced a shortage of modern water sports facilities, which increases the load on the remaining open venues and coastal areas in other regions of the island. Experts note that such modernization projects are important not only for the comfort of residents, but also for improving the energy efficiency of urban infrastructure. However, prolonged delays may negatively affect the quality of life of citizens, especially during extended periods of summer heat.