Aquaticum Mediterranean Adventure Bath in Debrecen’s Great Forest opened its doors in 2003 as the first indoor adventure bath in Hungary. For the past 18 years, the bath has operated successfully, undergoing necessary maintenance and minor improvements when needed, and in 2016, a baby-mama rest area was set up. However the latest investment plans will enable a much greater development.
In 2017, the government declared Debrecen and its surroundings a priority tourist development area, within the framework of which the building could finally be comprehensively renovated. Among other things, community spaces will be modernized, existing slides will be refurbished, and new ones will be installed. They will also expand the catering facilities and increase energy efficiency of the facility.
The Municipality of Debrecen issued a tender for the modernization of Aquaticum. The winner was Bord Építész Stúdió Kft, a highly successful studio which also designed the new Aquaticum Strandfürdő next door, and which opened in the summer of 2020.
Péter Bordás, the head of Bord Építész Stúdió Kft. said about the plans that they tried to gain extra space in the building. The wave basin, for example, has been taken deeper to form a canyon with an additional basin, and new slides are introduced here. This is where an underground connection to the old swimming pool is formed. The bathhouse was planned as a Turkish bath. They planned an arcade for the public areas to keep it open. Bathers will be able to swim out of the pool from the bathhouse into the adventure pool, so they will not only be able to get from one part of the building to another on foot.
Mayor László Papp emphasized that the winning project would renovate the adventure pool, respecting the existing buildings, emphasizing that the swimming pool part was designed by József Borsos. László Papp added that thanks to the continuous cooperation between the government and the local government, Debrecen is constantly expanding with new tourist attractions.
The new beach has been developed, the Magic Forest promenade is being prepared, and the renovation of the Aquaticum adventure pool and swimming pool will begin.
The adventure bath will get three new pools and two new slides. The adventure pool will have a face lift; through the combination of water and vegetation, we will feel as if we are reaching a wild uninhabited green planet that can be reached by spaceships and flying vehicles – such elements will also be built into the spa. The whole complex, together with the hotel and the beach will be interoperable which is especially important for hotel guests. There will be a new children’s pool on the ground floor, to which will be added a glass spaceship that will provide a unique experience. A rocket launch station will also be set up in an adventure pool that will entertain children with light, steam, and sound effects.
The planning procedure may end in 2022, the construction is planned to start in that year after the completion of the public procurement procedure, and the full investment may be completed in 2024 at the latest.
The mayor also said that the Hotel Infinity will be built in the area between the beach and the adventure pool, and that a tender for the renovation of the zoo and the amusement park is being prepared.
The aim of the city management is to make the Great Forest in Debrecen one of the most frequented tourist centres in the country, providing the best quality services.
See the plans of the soon-to-be-renewed Aquaticum Mediterranean Adventure Bath below:
