Mette Arqe-Hammeken: - We need covered swimming pools

Mette Arqe-Hammeken, Naleraq, who is a member of Inatsisartut, has asked Naalakkersuisut via paragraph 37 whether there are plans for the construction of either swimming pools or swimming pools that are covered with airdomes, which are inflatable halls, in Ittoqqortoormiit, Tasiilaq and various places in North Greenland.

However, in the response note from Nivi Olsen, Demokraatit, who is Naalakkersersuisoq for Children, Youth, Families, Internal Affairs, Education, Culture, Sports and Church, it appears that Naalakkersuisut has no plans to initiate construction of these at this time.

Price unknown

Regarding the question of the costs of airdome swimming pools, Nivi Olsen states that there are no fixed or standardized prices for establishing an airdome construction, as such facilities are not built in uniform sizes or with identical specifications.

- Each airdome is designed in practice according to the needs of the specific project and is adapted to both the purpose, location and the technical requirements that apply to the area.

- The total construction costs are affected by a number of factors, including the project's design and dimensions, the choice of materials and insulation level, requirements for foundation, the local climatic conditions and the extent of the technical installations that are necessary to ensure stable operation throughout the year, says Nivi Olsen.

Facts such as construction maturity, logistics, contractor capacity and the price level for materials and labor in the outlying areas can have a significant impact on the final price, says Naalakkersuisoq.

Lack of experience

Nivi Olsen also points out that Naalakkersuisut does not have experience in building swimming pools or airdome structures, and therefore, there are no internal experience prices or comparable projects that can be used in a price estimate.

- It is not possible for the Government of Greenland to specify a general or standardized price for establishing an airdome swimming pool in North Greenland, Ittoqqortoormiit or Tasiilaq.

- Each project requires an independent assessment and a specific project basis in order to obtain a realistic offer that reflects the actual conditions at the location in question.

- Calculating estimated prices requires clarification of the above, which is why it will be necessary to have more extensive investigation and calculations that are not included in what is being asked, she says, pointing out that the final price will only be revealed when the construction project is put out to tender.

Not the first time

This is not the first time that there has been a request to invest in airdomes. Last year, the Greenland Football Association, KAK, proposed that Greenland invest in airdomes. According to KAK, the existing football pitches can be covered with airdomes, and that this way you can promote the growth of football in Greenland. Depending on the wishes, airdomes can cost between 20 and 50 million kroner to 40-50, KAK informs.

Some municipal council members in Avannaata Municipality approved last year that studies be initiated for the construction of outdoor swimming pools that can be used in the summer in the municipality's towns.

The intention is that the swimming pools can be used by schools and public institutions, but airdomes are not mentioned in the municipality's plans.

Not satisfied

In 2019, Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq established an outdoor swimming pool in Ittoqqortoormiit, which is well-used by the local population in the summer months. But Mette Arqe-Hammeken would like to see it covered with an airdome to achieve year-round use.

- I am not satisfied with the response from Nalaakkersuisut. You can't just drop the idea just because Naalakkersuisut has no experience in that area.

- We will discuss the issue in our Inatsisartut group with a view to putting it on the agenda in Inatsisartut during the year, says Mette Arqe-Hammeken, who lives in Ittoqqortoormiit.

She believes that covered swimming pools should be built in the outer areas, as she finds it important that children learn to swim at an early age, and she also believes that these can be used in prevention work.