One last splash in the current outdoor pool: Hoornse Vaart is looking for visitors' memories

Published on: 21 September 2026

One more swim, one last time down the slide and sharing memories together. On Sunday 27 September, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool will close the outdoor pool season in a special way. The current outdoor pool will then make way for the construction of the new swimming and sports complex. Visitors are invited to share their best photos and memories and can come and swim that afternoon from 13:00 to 16:00 for €1.

For many people in Alkmaar, the outdoor pool is a familiar place. People swam and played, went down the slide, and enjoyed the lawn on warm days. Now that the current outdoor pool is making way for new construction, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool wants to reflect with visitors on the memories created here over the years.

What is your fondest memory?

Swimming pool Hoornse Vaart is therefore looking for stories and photographs from visitors. Perhaps you used to come here yourself as a child and later with your own children. Maybe you spent every summer here, went down the slide endlessly or still have a special photograph from days gone by.

What is your fondest memory of the outdoor pool? Share your story or photo via the website. A selection of the entries will be used to look back together on the current outdoor pool.

One last swim for €1

On Sunday 27 September, visitors can enjoy the current outdoor pool one last time. Until 13:00, the outdoor pool is open as normal for family swimming. From 13:00 to 16:00, everyone can come swimming for €1. Tickets for this afternoon are only available online and via the payment kiosk in the foyer.

At 15:50 there is a joint final moment at the slide. Visitors can then go down the slide together one last time. Saying a full goodbye to the slide is not necessary: it will return as part of the new swimming and sports complex.

From memories to something new

With the closure of the current outdoor pool, a new era begins for the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. The outdoor pool and sunbathing lawn will make way for the new construction. During the construction work, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool will remain open for swimming, but there will temporarily be no outdoor pool.

The new swimming and sports complex will open in 2029. This will once again feature an outdoor pool, including facilities for lane swimming and a new sunbathing lawn. As a result, 27 September marks not only the closure of the current outdoor pool, but also the transition to a new era for the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool.

And afterwards: the doggy paddle

Following the swimmers, it is traditionally the dogs' turn. From 16:00 to 18:00, the outdoor swimming season is brought to a close with the dog swim. The dog pays an entrance fee, while the owner gets in for free.

Practical information 27 September

  • Until 13:00: regular family swimming
  • 13:00 to 16:00: swimming for €1, tickets for the 13:00 to 16:00 swimming session are available exclusively online and via the payment kiosk in the foyer.
  • 15:50: joint final moment by the slide
  • 16:00 to 18:00: dog swimming
Tickets for this afternoon will be available soon

You can share photos and memories via the form below

Outdoor pool – share your most beautiful memory

Tell us your nicest, funniest, sweetest or most wonderful story about the current outdoor pool. Thanks in advance!
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    More information about the new build of the Hoornse Vaart swimming and sports complex can be found on the website of Municipality of Alkmaar.