Mette Arqe-HammekenNaleraq, who is a member of Inatsisartut, has asked questions to Naalakkersuisut via clause 37, whether there are plans for the construction of either swimming halls or swimming pools covered with air domes, which are inflatable halls, in Ittoqqortoormiit, Tasiilaq and various places in North Greenland.
But in the reply note from Nivi Olsen, Demokraatit, who is Naalakkersersuisoq for Children, Youth, Families, Home Affairs, Education, Culture, Sports and Church, it appears that Naalakkersuisut has no plans to initiate construction of these at this time.
Mette Arqe-HammekenNaleraq, who is a member of Inatsisartut, has asked questions to Naalakkersuisut via clause 37, whether there are plans for the construction of either swimming halls or swimming pools covered with air domes, which are inflatable halls, in Ittoqqortoormiit, Tasiilaq and various places in North Greenland.
But in the reply note from Nivi Olsen, Demokraatit, who is Naalakkersersuisoq for Children, Youth, Families, Home Affairs, Education, Culture, Sports and Church, it appears that Naalakkersuisut has no plans to initiate construction of these at this time.
Price unknown
In response to the question of the costs for airdome swimming pools, Nivi Olsen states that there are no fixed or standardized prices for the establishment of an airdome construction, as such facilities are not built in uniform sizes or with identical specifications.
– Each airdome is designed in practice according to the needs of the specific project and is adapted to both purpose, location and the technical requirements that apply to the area.
– The total construction costs are affected by a number of factors, including the design and dimensions of the project, choice of materials and insulation level, foundation requirements, the local climatic conditions and the extent of the technical installations that are necessary to ensure stable operation throughout the year, says Nivi Olsen.
Conditions such as construction maturity, logistics, contractor capacity and the price level for materials and labor in the outer areas can have a significant impact on the final price, says Naalakkersuisoq.
Lack of experience
Nivi Olsen also points out that Naalakkersuisut has no experience in building swimming pools or airdome constructions, and that there are therefore no internal experience prices or comparable projects that can be used in a price estimate.
– It is not possible for Naalakkersuisut to specify a general or standardized price for the establishment of an airdome swimming pool in North Greenland, Ittoqqortoormiit or Tasiilaq.
– Each project requires an independent assessment and a specific project basis, so that a realistic offer can be obtained that reflects the actual conditions at the location in question.
– Calculating estimated prices requires clarification of the above, which is why it will be necessary to do more research and calculations that are not covered by what is being asked about, she says and points out that the final price will only be revealed when the construction project is outsourced.
Not the first time
It is not the first time that there has been a desire to invest in airdomes. Last year, Greenland’s Ball Games Union, KAK, suggested that Greenland invest in airdomes. According to KAK, the existing football pitches can be covered with airdomes, and that in this way the growth of football in Greenland can be promoted. Depending on the wishes, airdomes can cost between DKK 20 to 50 million to DKK 40-50, according to KAK.
Last year, several municipal board members in Avannaata Kommunia approved the initiation of studies for the construction of outdoor swimming pools that can be used in the summer in the municipality’s towns.
The intention is that the swimming pools can be used by schools and public institutions, but airdomes are not mentioned in the municipality’s plans.
Not satisfied
In 2019, Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq established an outdoor swimming pool Ittoqqortoormiit, which is well used by the local population during the summer months. But Mette Arqe-Hammeken would like it to be covered with an airdome to achieve year-round use.
– I am not satisfied with the answer from Nalaakkersuisut. You can’t just drop the idea just because Naalakkersuisut has no experience in that area.
– We are going to deal with the subject in our Inatsisartut group with a view to it being put on the agenda in Inatsisartut during the year, says Mette Arqe-Hammeken, who lives in Ittoqqortoormiit.
She believes that covered swimming pools should be built in the outer areas, as she finds it important that children learn to swim at an early age, just as she believes that these can be used in prevention work.
