Expanding the facilities

Tromsøbadet has grown in popularity since opening. Despite the interruption caused by the pandemic, visitor records continued to rise. Around 330,000 visits were recorded in 2025, approximately 8.7% more than in 2024.

“Tromsøbadet should be a public swimming facility for everyone. We need more capacity and a stronger year-round offer. As a municipal enterprise, we believe wellness should be accessible and inclusive, supporting the municipality’s public health work,” said managing director Siv-Hege Helsing Schrøen in the report. (Translated from Norwegian.)

Tromsøbadet worked with architects Asplan Viak on plans to complement the existing outdoor pool.

A safe setting for lifelong learning

A central element of the proposal is a cold-water teaching pool, providing a controlled setting for school pupils to learn self-rescue and cold-water skills.

Bente Engdahl, an education adviser at Tromsø municipality, is responsible for organising swimming education across the municipality.

“Grades 7 and 9 currently learn cold-water self-rescue at Telegrafbukta. Experiencing cold water is important, but limited facilities and interruptions from wind and weather make lessons challenging,” Engdahl said. (Translated from Norwegian.)

“An outdoor cold-water pool would offer more predictable conditions and a safer teaching setting, with better opportunities to develop skills systematically over time,” Engdahl explained. (Translated from Norwegian.)

The partnership with Tromsøbadet has already supported swimming education for school pupils.

“Previously, physical education teachers taught pupils in pools around the municipality. Schools now receive support from experienced swimming instructors, which has clearly strengthened swimming education,” Engdahl said. (Translated from Norwegian.)

Warmth and contrast

The 2025 proposal sought to improve year-round access on warm summer days and cold winter evenings, supporting education, public health and an attractive place to live.

  • A warm outdoor pool at 34°C year-round, designed for relaxation and social visits in summer and winter.
  • A cold-water teaching pool for self-rescue skills in realistic temperatures, supporting curriculum requirements for water activities in different conditions.
  • An event sauna facing south and west, suitable for aufguss and a welcoming range of uses. It could also support cold-water lessons as a space for pupils before and after the teaching pool.
  • Universal design is intended to make the new outdoor area accessible regardless of ability.

Project financing

The 2025 proposal sought partial financing through sports lottery funds, with VAT compensation and borrowing also planned. Tromsøbadet KF would service the loan costs. The design team was working to refine and quality-check the proposal, with board consideration and an investment decision targeted for spring 2026. This describes the plans in the annual report, rather than confirming a later decision or opening date.