Mette Arqe-Hammeken Seeks Clarity on Swimming Facilities in Greenland
Mette Arqe-Hammeken, a member of the Inatsisartut, has turned her attention to the future of recreational swimming in Greenland. She recently submitted a series of inquiries to the Naalakkersuisut regarding the potential construction of swimming halls or inflatable air-dome pools in Ittoqqortoormiit, Tasiilaq, and other locations in North Greenland.
In a response crafted by Nivi Olsen, a member of the Demokraatit party and the Naalakkersersuisoq responsible for Children, Youth, Families, Home Affairs, Education, Culture, Sports, and Church, it was made clear that the government currently has no plans to move forward with such projects at this time.
Cost Considerations Remain Unknown
Addressing the financial aspects, Olsen acknowledged that there are no standardized costs associated with inflatable swimming pools. This lack of uniform pricing stems from the bespoke nature of airdome construction, which is tailored to meet the specific needs of each project.
“The design of each airdome will vary according to various factors including purpose, location, and the technical requirements relevant to the area,” Olsen elaborated. “Key elements influencing the final costs involve the project’s dimensions, choice of materials, insulation levels, foundation specifications, local climate conditions, and essential technical installations to ensure year-round functionality.”
Further complicating the estimation process are the realities of construction maturity, logistics, contractor availability, and fluctuating material and labor costs in remote regions, which can substantially impact overall expenses.
Acknowledging the Learning Curve
Olsen also noted that the Naalakkersuisut lacks experience in constructing swimming facilities or airdomes, resulting in no established benchmarks or comparable projects to provide a reliable price estimate.
“It’s simply not feasible for the Naalakkersuisut to provide a general or standardized figure for the establishment of an inflatable swimming pool in North Greenland, Ittoqqortoormiit, or Tasiilaq. Each initiative demands an individualized assessment based on project-specific parameters,” she said, emphasizing that detailed research would be necessary to develop realistic estimates—underscoring that accurate pricing will only emerge once the construction project is publicly tendered.
Historic Interest in Airdomes
This isn’t the first instance of interest in airdome investments. Last year, the Greenland’s Ball Games Union, KAK, advocated for the use of airdomes to promote football, suggesting that existing pitches be enveloped in airdomes, with projected costs in the range of DKK 20 to 50 million. Additionally, municipal leaders in Avannaata Kommunia had previously approved studies for outdoor swimming pools to be used in summer, although airdomes were not part of that initiative.
The Push for Year-Round Facilities
In 2019, Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq established an outdoor swimming pool in Ittoqqortoormiit, which saw considerable summer use by the community. However, Arqe-Hammeken believes that, in order to maximize utility, the pool should be enveloped by an airdome for year-round access.
“I am not satisfied with the response from Nalaakkersuisut,” Arqe-Hammeken stated. “We cannot simply abandon the idea because the Naalakkersuisut lacks experience in this field.”
With a resolve to keep the conversation alive, she assures that the topic will be raised within her Inatsisartut group, aiming to place it on the legislative agenda for the year ahead. Advocating for covered swimming pools, she stressed the importance of teaching children to swim from an early age, also noting their potential role in preventative health measures.
As dialogues and discussions continue, it remains to be seen if Greenland’s vision for improved swimming facilities will gather the momentum necessary to materialize into reality.