The municipal indoor swimming pool in Košice is a significant work of Slovak architect Ján Šprlák-Uličný, who designed it in the spirit of late modernism.
His design reflected the need to create a representative sports facility with an emphasis on functionality and aesthetics, resulting in an unmistakable swimming pool, providing sporting and cultural experiences for decades. The swimming pool was designed as a modern sports facility that was to serve not only the public, but also professional athletes.
The swimming pool is located on Protifašistických bojovníkov Street, near the railway and bus stations. Its architectural design takes into account modernist principles with an emphasis on clean lines and functionality. The building is characterized by its simple, yet expressive form, which harmoniously fits into the urban environment.
The construction of the swimming pool began in July 1977 under the auspices of the East Slovak Administration of Special Purpose Facilities of the Czech Sports and Recreational Facilities Association in Košice. Construction was originally planned to be completed in April 1980, but due to various complications, insufficient project readiness and failure to secure the supply of technological equipment, the project was only completed on December 31, 1985. The reported errors and deficiencies were gradually eliminated by March 1987. The total construction costs reached 57 million CZK.
A history full of experiences, emotions, and significant sporting milestones began to be written.
For many years, the City Indoor Swimming Pool served as the main training ground for swimmers, water polo players and other sports clubs. It was one of the few comprehensive sports facilities of its kind in eastern Slovakia. Architects and architectural historians today consider it a quality example of public construction from the socialist period.
In 2023, its comprehensive renovation and transformation into the National Olympic Swimming Center began.