ir. Ottenbad

Ir. Ottenbad is a public swimming pool in Eindhoven, in the Woensel-Noord district, operated by Eindhoven Sport on behalf of the city. The operator describes it as a sociable family pool with something to do in every season, and what is spoken of as one pool is in fact several, in and beside a single building. Dutch Wikipedia records that it opened on 9 September 1969, is named after the Philips executive Frans Otten (1895–1969), and twice burned down — a week after the opening and again in December 1980 — being rebuilt each time. The operator is now preparing what it calls a vernieuwbouw, a rebuild: it states that it wants to make the building and the pool future-proof and more sustainable, that the growing city needs an additional 25-metre pool, and that a council proposal with a programme of requirements is expected by the end of 2026.

Pools

The operator publishes the size, depth and temperature of each pool. The recreation pool is 33 by 20 metres, slopes to 1.8 metres and is kept at about 29.5 °C, with whirlpools at 34 °C and steam cabins alongside and a swimmers' terrace where food and drink are served. The 25-metre pool is 25 by 14 metres, falls from 1.75 to 4.00 metres and is also about 29.5 °C. The instruction pool is 14 by 11 metres, runs from 0.90 to 1.20 metres and is about 33.5 °C, and the therapy pool — which the operator describes as extra heated and suited to therapeutic lessons, water gymnastics for older people, pregnancy swimming and baby and toddler lessons — is 18 by 7.5 metres, 0.90 to 1.25 metres deep and also about 33.5 °C. Lane swimming is offered in both the 25-metre pool and the recreation pool.

Outdoor pool

The outdoor area is seasonal: the operator states that in good weather it is good to be there from May to September, with a lawn and a screened sun terrace where sun beds may be used free of charge. The outdoor pool measures 33 by 33 metres and falls from 1.25 to 1.35 metres; the operator states that it is heated to about 19 °C and then warms further according to the temperature and the sun outside, so that the temperature differs from day to day, and that there are two slides in the outdoor recreation pool. A separate outdoor toddler pool is 22 by 14 metres and runs from 0.40 to 0.60 metres; the operator states that this one is not heated and warms up with the sun.

For children

The indoor toddler pools are three round basins 6.4 metres across with depths of 0.10, 0.15 and 0.25 metres, kept at about 34 °C; the operator states that they have heated water, shallow water, small slides and various safety measures for the youngest visitors. Swimming lessons start from the age of 4, in several groups and at several times, and the operator also runs Aquasportief classes and takes bookings for children's parties. In the recreation pool it requires children and adults who cannot yet swim to wear a flotation aid, in the water and at the side; these are sold at the pool.

Access and facilities

The operator states that the pool has three accessible toilets and nine large changing rooms, and that the whole pool is wheelchair-friendly. A hoist is available at the therapy pool, the instruction pool and the 25-metre pool; the outdoor pool has an easy-access stair rather than a hoist, and the operator states that staff will help visitors who need it in and out of the water. Four water chairs are available at the recreation pool and the steam cabins take two people at a time. De Eetclub Eindhoven, next to the entrance, serves coffee, snacks and meals, and the operator states that visitors may eat their own snacks in the pool. Visits are reserved through its web shop.

Opening hours

Hours differ by activity and are published as a rolling day-by-day schedule rather than a fixed week. The operator lists recreational swimming in the recreation pool at 10:00–18:00 on weekdays and 10:00–17:00 at the weekend, with lane-swimming sessions before and after. It lists closure on 25 December and 1 January and no lessons during the autumn and Christmas school holidays.