Swimmers ascend to the diving platform here at Stadionbad. This isn’t just any swimming pool. This is Stadionbad. It is Hanover’s largest indoor swimming pool. Picture this: it’s 1972, and Stadionbad opens as one of Germany’s most modern swimming facilities. Its design? A shell. Quite fitting, isn’t it?
The main pool stretches 50 meters long and 21 meters wide. Divers have options. A one-meter board. A three-meter tower. And a towering diving platform reaches heights of 5, 7.5, and 10 meters.
But here’s a quirk. Twenty-two underwater windows line the pool at a depth of two meters. They allow observers in the basement to watch divers plunge into the water. A unique perspective. Don’t you think?
For less daring swimmers, there is a non-swimmer pool. It measures 26 by 12.75 meters. A small slide, massage jets, and a water mushroom add to the fun. Even babies have their own paddling pool. A clown spouting water entertains them.
Stadionbad offers more than just swimming. A bistro with glass windows overlooks the pool. There is also a swimming shop. Saunas, lounge chairs, and heated benches offer relaxation. Outside, a 5,000 square meter lawn beckons. Kids enjoy a play area. Table tennis tables invite friendly matches.
Did you know Stadionbad hosts numerous water sports events? Some are even international competitions. Two grandstands accommodate 400 spectators.
In 2006, during the FIFA World Cup, Stadionbad transformed. It became a press center. Journalists from around the world reported on matches held in the nearby stadium.
The Stadionbad is more than just a pool. It is a hub for sports and leisure in Hanover. Waspo 98 Hannover even plays Champions League water polo matches here. For everyday athletes, this is the city’s most visited pool.
The city recognizes its importance. Stadionbad provides the largest area for school and club sports. It underwent significant renovations in 2016. Though initially planned for a June to November closure, it reopened in January 2017. More renovations followed in subsequent years.
Before you leave Stadionbad, take a moment to appreciate its shell-like copper roof. It is quite a sight. Just outside, you may notice Grete-Rosenberg-Wildhagen-Weg. She was a pioneer in German women’s swimming. She even competed in the 1912 Olympic Games at the young age of 15. The Stadionbad is a mix of history, sport, and unique design. A true Hannover landmark.