Automated access control for Openluchtbad Zwolle
The Openluchtbad Zwolle is run by volunteers. With as many as 110,000 visitors in the 2018 season, that's quite an achievement. Where automation can streamline the operational side, we're happy to contribute our part.
When plans were made in the early 1990s to demolish the Openluchtbad swimming pool in Zwolle, a large group of Zwollenaren (i.e., inhabitants of Zwolle) took action against the plans. Many residents of the Hanseatic city wanted to prevent the characteristic 1930s pool from disappearing permanently. The rescue came when the swimming pool was designated as a national monument.
15.000 hours
But, the swimming pool also had to be kept in operation. To continue operating the pool, the "Vereniging Openluchtbad Zwolle" (Open Air Swimming Pool Association Zwolle) was established. The members of this association have been running the swimming pool for over 25 years now. A great achievement, because every summer between 60,000 and 90,000 visitors pass through the gate of the pool. In 2018, that number was even 110,000!
To keep the pool affordable, a system was set up where pool members do volunteer work a few times during the season. There are about 6,300 members, consisting of parents and children. Approximately 2,300 main members do volunteer work within the association, which amounts to as much as 15,000 hours. That seems like a lot, but with all the tasks that need to be done at an outdoor swimming pool, it's always a matter of fitting things in. Especially during years with beautiful summers and longer opening hours.
Smart software solutions
Together with the Openluchtbad, we are exploring possibilities to implement smart software solutions in the daily operations of the swimming pool. The goals are always to reduce the number of required volunteer hours, save costs, and operate in a more sustainable way. Previously, we developed an online system for ordering and maintaining memberships, along with signing up for volunteer work, which is such an essential part.
"The use of the scanner for access control saves us 100 hours of volunteer work per season. And that's what we rely on, that volunteer work." Hans Molenaar
Hans Molenaar, the secretary of the association, is enthusiastic: "It is a nice system that improves us in four areas. First, we save money because previously we had to make a new card for each member every year, but now we don't have to. That saves money, and by introducing fewer temporary cards, we also become a bit more sustainable. Additionally, the use of the scanner for access control saves us 100 hours of volunteer work per season. And we rely on that volunteer work, so the better we can use the available hours, the better it is for us. Now that our access system also checks whether you have performed the agreed volunteer work, we have a perfect overview. So if you haven't done your assigned tasks, you won't be able to enter the pool until you've made a new appointment.
Reminder
The outdoor pool will be open again in 2019, and from then on, our developed scanning system for access control will be definitively introduced. That means the end of the manual person counter. "But it will remain as a reminder. That counter is part of the history of the pool," Hans laughs.
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110.000 visitors
This is how many people went swimming in the Openluchtbad Zwolle in 2018. -
100 hours
On average, about 100 hours of volunteer work are saved with the new system. -
> € 1800,- savings
More than €1800 is saved per season on seasonal passes and everything related to them. -
Greener
Reusing the passes instead of making new ones every year is less harmful to the environment.