A pensioner has built a pool in the yard and is open to the public for a modest fee: “There was never such a project”

Achim Gall, a 69-year-old pensioner from Germany, became known after turning his garden into a public leisure place. Anyone can swim there in exchange for a symbolic tax of 3.5 euros.

Gall has invested 250,000 euros to build the pool. Photo: x / @ntvde

Former mechanical engineer and performance swimmer, Gall has invested 250,000 euros to build a considerable pool, in which anyone can swim in exchange for a symbolic tax of 3.5 euros. He lives in Uhingen, the Land of Baden-Württemberg. In order to finance his dream, the pensioner sold two apartments, contracted a loan and started the construction.

The construction was not a hurry. Gall has planned the project for four years, and then worked for another two years to complete, doing most of the work with his hands.

The result: a pool 12.5 meters long, 4.5 meters wide and 2 meters deep, with starting blocks, swings suspended above the water, changing rooms, showers and a terrace for relaxation.

“You have to do something during the day. So I thought to build a pool where I can offer swimming courses. Because a pool just for me would be useless,” said Gall, quoted by the German publication Bild.

In addition to general access, the pensioner offers daily swimming and fitness courses, addressed to both children and adults. Although it does not follow the profit, it hopes to cover at least its maintenance costs.

“I do not want to get rich. It is important to be able to cover the current costs with the income”, said the pensioner.

The mayor of the town, Matthias Wittlinger, praised the initiative: “In the 750 years of history of our city there has never been such a project. It is something special. It is really bizarre, but praiseworthy, positive.”