Construction decision finalized for Arendal Folkebad

The facility will feature a six-lane sports pool, a teaching and therapy pool, children's and family pools, diving facilities, water slides, a gym and a restaurant, and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

From preparatory work to construction start
 

Since financing was secured in June, the Vindholmen site has been made ready, the planning application has been submitted and the old hall on the site has been demolished. Contractor Backe Sør now takes over the site, and work on ground preparation and foundations is starting.

"This will be an arena for young and old alike, and for generations to come. We have worked towards this for many years, so it is a big day when the machines are actually on site and we can get on with building. I am looking forward to the day the pools are filled and the place is full of people," says Tom Krusche Pedersen, Managing Director of AFK Eiendom.
 

A win, win, win
 

"This is a win, win, win: for sport, for schools and for the local community. AFK Eiendom has listened to many people with different needs, and the result will be a facility the whole municipality will enjoy for decades. It is also a boost for public health, from swimming instruction for the youngest to training and treatment for those who need it most," says Robert Cornels Nordli, Mayor of Arendal Municipality.
 

Arendal Municipality will be a key user of the facility through a long-term lease. The municipality will rent pool time, primarily for school swimming instruction, but also for sports and for therapy pool hours for health purposes.
 

"Our most important need is swimming instruction. From 2028 we can finally offer our pupils that instruction in a modern facility in our own municipality. In addition, the therapy pool will be an important resource for people with rheumatic conditions and other groups who need it for health reasons," says Inger Brokka de Ruiter, Deputy Mayor of Arendal Municipality.
 

A meeting place for everyone
 

The facility will cover approximately 3,700 square metres, with a wide range of content. Indoors there will be a six-lane sports pool with spectator seating, a teaching and therapy pool with a movable floor, a family pool and a children's pool with water toys and slides. There will also be diving facilities at 1, 3 and 5 metres, hot tubs and a sauna.
 

Outdoors, the project includes a pool, a cold plunge pool and a sun deck facing the sea. The facility will also have around 500 square metres dedicated to training and treatment. The restaurant will be open to everyone, including those not there to swim, and will be a welcome addition to Vindholmen and the town.
 

AFK Eiendom will operate the facility itself once it opens. With the construction decision in place, work also begins on building the organisation, and a general manager for the aquatic centre will be recruited in the period ahead.
 

"Beyond swimming instruction and sport, we want to create a meeting place for everyone. Somewhere you can come to train, to play with your children, to receive treatment, or simply to sit in the restaurant and look out at the sea. That is the ambition we are now building an organisation around, and before long we will start the search for a general manager," says Tom Krusche Pedersen, Managing Director of AFK Eiendom.

Local contractor to build the facility
 

Backe Sør AS is the contractor for the project. The company is headquartered in Agder and will use local subcontractors for much of the construction period, which runs until completion in the third quarter of 2028.
 

"After a period of good collaboration on developing the project, we as contractor are delighted to have been given the trust to deliver this excellent facility. A facility of this kind is not built very often, with large pools, concrete structures, water treatment and technical installations that all have to be right. We are very ready to get started," says Anders Larsen, CEO of Backe Sør AS.

Project facts:

• Location: Vindholmen, Arendal
• Investors: Arendals Fossekompani, through its wholly owned subsidiary AFK Eiendom AS (51%), Pactum Eiendom AS (29%), Uthalden Eiendom AS (20%)
• Size: approx. 3,700 m²
• Content: six-lane sports pool with diving facilities (1, 3 and 5 metres) and spectator seating, teaching and therapy pool with movable floor, children's pool with water toys and slides, family pool, hot tubs and sauna. Outdoor pool, cold plunge pool and sun deck facing the sea. Gym, treatment rooms and restaurant
• Contractor: Backe Sør AS
• Planned completion: third quarter 2028
• Name: working title Arendal Folkebad; final name to be announced