The Kantrida swimming pool complex was opened in July 2008, when a new Olympic swimming pool was built and the old Olympic swimming pool and swimming pools for non-swimmers were reconstructed. The construction of the complex was completed in 2011 by constructing a diving pool, restoring the beach and reconstructing the promenade.
With the construction of the swimming pool complex Kantrida, five swimming pools are available to Rijeka citizens of and athletes:
- large Olympic swimming pool
- reconstructed old Olympic pool
- training swimming pool
- pool for non-swimmers
- diving pool
The amount of HRK 303 million was invested in the realisation of this project.
In December 2008, the 12th European short course swimming championship was held in the new pools. It is one of the biggest sports competitions in the history of Rijeka, which also marked the 100th anniversary of the Sports Association “Viktoria – Primorje 08”.
A garage with 148 parking spaces was built as part of the pool complex. In the garage there is a fitness centre, a tourist info point and a restaurant. There is a sunbathing area (550 sq.m.) next to the reconstructed old Olympic swimming pool, a café next to the reception with a terrace and a restaurant with a terrace at beach level.
The old pool has also been reconstructed and now it meets the standards for Olympic pools and competitions that take place under the auspices of FINA and LEN.
The construction of the complex was accompanied by the construction of utility infrastructure, in terms of the renewed water supply and drainage systems in the area of Kantrida and Turan.
The Kantrida swimming pools have hosted the largest sports competitions and have become home to numerous athletes and recreationists. The project was fully completed in 2011 with the construction of the diving pool, by restoring 350-meter of the beach strip with an area of 14,000 sq.m., and the reconstructed grandstand of the open swimming pool. On Ploče beach, just below the complex, in 2011 the Blue Flag was raised, international award for the cleanliness of the sea and quality facilities on the beaches.
On the initiative of the City of Rijeka since school year 2008/2009 swimming courses have been organised for all elementary school pupils in the city of Rijeka through the award-winning project “Rijeka Pliva/Rijeka swimms”.
In order to improve the quality of life of its senior citizens, the City of Rijeka, Rijeka sport and the Association of pensioners of the city of Rijeka allow members of the association to use the Kantrida swimming pools for the needs of recreational programmes for senior citizens, three times a week, free of charge.
More about the Kantrida Swimming Pools on the website of Rijeka sport.
