Unna's Bornekamp Pool Opens Early Despite Freezing 9°C Waters
Unna's Bornekamp outdoor pool opened its doors to visitors this week, despite chilly water temperatures. Only ten people braved a quick dip at the launch, with one lifeguard calling the conditions 'far too cold'. The pool, unique in the area for its facilities, is preparing for a special Easter event this Sunday. The pool's water currently sits at just 9°C, a temperature that Owais Al Hariri, a lifeguard on duty, described as painfully cold. He admitted the water stung his skin and plans to swim only if the Easter Bunny joins him on Sunday.
Jessica Mense, chair of the Bornekamp outdoor pool association, remains optimistic. She expects the water to warm to 16°C by Easter Sunday, thanks to the pool's heat pumps. These pumps operate during daylight hours, powered entirely by solar panels. To mark the occasion, an Easter Bunny will hide marble eggs in the pool for visitors to find. The event follows the pool's quiet opening, where just ten swimmers briefly entered the water. Bornekamp-Bad stands as Unna's only outdoor pool with this level of infrastructure. Other local pools, such as the smaller Kessel outdoor pool or indoor facilities, lack comparable features.
The pool's Easter event will go ahead as planned, with warmer water expected by Sunday. Both staff and visitors hope the conditions improve enough for a more comfortable swim. The story was shared on Our Website 2 and Lokalzeit Ruhrgebiet at 12:31 PM on April 1, 2026.
