Zagreb opens new €36 million sports centre with city’s first pool in western district

(Photo: Grad Zagreb)

ZAGREB, 9 September 2026 (Croatia Week) – A new sports and recreation centre featuring Zagreb’s first municipal swimming pool in the western part of the city has officially opened to the public.

Bazen Špansko, a €36.3 million complex financed entirely from the City of Zagreb budget, opened its doors to residents on Wednesday afternoon.

The new centre, covering almost 6,000 square metres, is designed for people of all ages, from children learning to swim to professional athletes and recreational users.

The project has been described by the city administration as a strategic investment in sports infrastructure and fulfils a long-standing demand from residents of Špansko, Malešnica, Stenjevec, Rudeš, Gajnice and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Two pools and extensive facilities

The centre includes a 34 by 25-metre sports and recreation pool, as well as a 25 by 12.5-metre educational and rehabilitation pool.

There is also a dedicated baby pool, fitness area, corrective exercise hall, wellness facilities, a water slide and seating for 300 spectators.

(Photo: Grad Zagreb)

The facility has been designed to be fully accessible to people with disabilities and incorporates modern technology and renewable energy solutions for heating and cooling.

The large pool will be used by sports clubs and athletes involved in swimming, water polo, triathlon, artistic swimming and diving, alongside programmes for the general public.

Swimming, fitness and wellness

The centre will offer swimming programmes for children and adults, water-based health and corrective exercise programmes, activities for young children and programmes for people with disabilities.

For residents, the centre is open from 6.30am to 9.30pm on weekdays, from 8am to 8pm at weekends, and from noon to 8pm on public holidays.

Prices are the same as at Zagreb’s other municipal swimming pools.

A standard admission ticket costs €4, while children, pensioners and people with disabilities pay €1.50.

A family day ticket costs €10, while monthly passes are €40 for adults and €22 for children, pensioners and people with disabilities.

Admission includes use of both pools and the SPA area. The gym and wellness facilities, including saunas, steam baths and massages, are charged separately. One hour in the sauna costs €10.61, while a gym visit costs €3.31.

(Photo: Grad Zagreb)

The facility will begin operating for organised sports use from 1 October, when clubs will be able to use it through Zagreb’s public sports programme.

New public space created alongside centre

The project also included the creation of a new neighbourhood square in front of the centre, with bicycle parking, benches and waste bins.

(Photo: Grad Zagreb)

(Photo: Grad Zagreb)

A large green area has also been landscaped. During autumn and winter, a tree-lined avenue with an additional 23 trees is planned.

The architectural design was based on the first-prize concept by Studio Ante Murales and Njirić + arhitekti, while construction was carried out by STRABAG.

(Photo: Grad Zagreb)

The Špansko pool forms part of a broader programme of investment in Zagreb’s sports infrastructure.

Other projects include the reconstruction of the Dom sportova, construction of a new stadium in Kranjčevićeva Street and preparations for the redevelopment of Maksimir Stadium.

(Photo: Grad Zagreb)

The city has allocated €169 million for sport in its 2026 budget, representing a 15% increase compared with the previous year and around three times the amount allocated in 2021.

At the opening, Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said the aim was to make sport and recreation more accessible to residents across the city.

The new Špansko complex is expected to serve both as a neighbourhood recreation centre and as a venue for organised sport, training and future sporting programmes.