Jenaer Bäder

Jenaer Bäder und Freizeit GmbH (JBG) is the municipal swimming pool company of the city of Jena in Thuringia, Germany. It operates several bathing facilities, most prominently the GalaxSea leisure pool with its sauna area and wellness oasis, two outdoor pools (Ostbad and Südbad), and the Schwimmparadies sports swimming hall opened in 2023 in Jena-Lobeda. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stadtwerke Jena GmbH, which in turn is fully owned by the City of Jena, placing JBG within the Stadtwerke Jena Gruppe. Public baths have been operated by the city of Jena since 1898, but the current corporate entity was founded on 1 January 1998. JBG's mission combines leisure, health, and wellness services for residents and visitors of Jena and the surrounding region. In 2024 it was certified under the Public Value approach and in 2025 received the Public Value Award for its contribution to quality of life, sustainability, and the common good. The managing director is Bernhard Dengel, and Susan Zetzmann has been a managing director since 2016.

Public baths have been operated by the city of Jena since 1898. The current company, Jenaer Bäder und Freizeit GmbH (JBG), was founded on 1 January 1998 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Stadtwerke Jena, following a decision in October 1997 by the Technische Werke Jena to establish it. JBG took over all municipal bathing facilities, associated properties (except the Volksbad), and personnel. The establishment was tied to the construction of a new leisure pool, later named GalaxSea, in Jena-Winzerla. The Volksbad, Jena's first and oldest indoor pool, built between 1907 and 1909, closed in 2001 due to high operating costs and competition from newer leisure pools in the surrounding area. The Schwimmhalle Lobeda-West, opened in 1976, was closed following a city council decision on 14 June 2018, to be replaced by a new sports swimming hall. In April 2018 the city council approved a citizen petition for a new 50-meter pool, and on 14 June 2018 the construction decision was made. The new Schwimmparadies sports swimming hall was built from September 2020 to August 2023 and opened on 28 August 2023 in Jena-Lobeda. It features a 21 × 50 m sports pool with eight lanes and a teaching pool. JBG also operates the Ostbad and Südbad outdoor pools and the Strandschleicher beach bar at Schleichersee. In 2024 JBG was certified under the Public Value approach, and in 2025 it received the Public Value Award. Re-certification is planned for 2026.

• 2025

  JBG receives Public Value Award.

• 2024

  JBG receives Public Value certification.

• 2023

  Schwimmparadies opens on 28 August in Jena-Lobeda.

• 2020

  Construction of Schwimmparadies begins in September.

• 2018

  City council approves new 50-meter pool in April and decides on construction on 14 June.

• 2016

  Susan Zetzmann becomes managing director.

• 2001

  Volksbad closes.

• 1998

  Jenaer Bäder und Freizeit GmbH is founded on 1 January as a wholly owned subsidiary of Stadtwerke Jena.

• 1997

  In October, Technische Werke Jena is tasked with founding Jenaer Bäder und Freizeit GmbH.

• 1976

  Schwimmhalle Lobeda-West opens in October.

• 1907

  Construction of the Volksbad begins (completed 1909).

• 1898

  City of Jena begins operating public baths.

Municipal provider of leisure, health, and wellness services around water, emphasizing quality of life, sustainability, and community value.

• Freizeitbad GalaxSea

  Leisure pool with sauna area, wellness oasis, and gastronomy.

• Schwimmparadies Jena

  Sports swimming hall with 50-meter pool, opened 2023.

• Ostbad

  Outdoor pool with large swimming pool.

• Südbad

  Outdoor pool with natural lake and FKK area.

• Strandschleicher

  Beach bar with beach volleyball and pedal boat rental.

1. 1Jenaer Bäderstadtwerke-jena.de
2. 2Über uns - Jenaer Bäder und Freizeitstadtwerke-jena.de
3. 3Unternehmensgruppe - Stadtwerke Jenastadtwerke-jena.de
4. 4Public Value Award – Jenaer Bäder & Freizeitstadtwerke-jena.de
5. 5Jenaer Bäderwikidata.org
6. 6Jenaer Bäderde.wikipedia.org