Tampere and Pirkkala eye Partolakeskus for joint eight‑lane pool

Tampere and Pirkkala's planned joint swimming hall may be built on the Partolakeskus shopping centre site, but a final decision is on hold while Pirkkala studies locations and zoning adjustments this autumn, YLE reports.

The adjustment reflects a decision to fine-tune the hall's placement within the planned area so it better serves businesses, housing and transport links. Work on the project otherwise continues. It follows Tampere's 2026–2040 service network plan, which mapped where new housing and public services such as sports facilities should be located.

Tampere mayor Ilmari Nurminen said the change aims to improve connections between the facility and surrounding developments. Pirkkala mayor Marko Jarva told YLE that, of the options studied so far, the Partolakeskus location appears the most sensible. In practice the swimming hall and an area zoned for housing would swap places, with a parking area left between them.

Jarva said the municipality has discussed the idea constructively with the property owner and would offer equivalent land in exchange. Many details still need to be settled before any agreements are signed. He estimates the site study will take a few weeks and that zoning amendments will be required.

The planned facility will be an eight‑lane swimming hall rather than a spa, and will serve residents of both municipalities as part of Tampere's service network. It would be Pirkkala's first indoor pool after decades of local demand.