Architects, conservationists, and community advocates are mounting fierce opposition to the planned demolition of Valhallabadet, an Olympic medal-winning swimming pool in Gothenburg, Sweden, calling the destruction a "waste of history." The iconic facility, which serves half a million swimmers annually, faces demolition as part of a broader municipal project to create new central sports facilities in the city.

Valhallabadet holds significant architectural and historical value, having been designed by renowned architect Nils Olsson in 1948 and opened to the public in 1956. The pool's design earned Olsson a bronze medal in architecture at the 1948 London Olympics, marking it as an internationally recognized achievement in architectural excellence. The facility features a stunning 700-square-meter abstract mosaic created by artist Nils Wedel, adding to its artistic and cultural significance.

The swimming pool's architectural importance gained further recognition when Europa Nostra, a leading cultural heritage organization, named Valhallabadet one of the seven most endangered sites in Europe in March of this year. According to city officials, the facility requires extensive renovations due to its age, prompting the decision to demolish and replace it rather than restore the existing structure.

"Valhallabadet is a remarkable building, a testament to the care, ambitions and high standards that the Swedish welfare state had for its public buildings in the 50s and the following decades," explained journalist Veronica Hejdelind, author of "The Swimming Pool at a Crossroads." She emphasized that while it functions as a municipal pool, "its unique and well-preserved architecture is a national or even international concern. It is also a much-loved and highly appreciated public building. A diverse community of all ages and walks of life meet here regularly."

Local conservation group Föreningen Fasad is leading the protest efforts, organizing a petition to save the pool and raising funds to produce a documentary about the facility's significance. Co-founder Filip Laurits stressed the building's multifaceted importance, stating, "Valhalla is not only a building of great and well-known architectural and historical values (the architect being awarded an Olympic medal in 1948 for his drawings), but also of big importance as a common social meeting place for generations of Gothenburg's residents, of whom many have been going there since it opened in 1956."

The conservation group attempted to secure legal protection for the building by applying to the local government, Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland, to have Valhallabadet officially listed as a protected structure. However, their application was rejected because the demolition decision had already been finalized. "A declaration of a listed building requires that there are conditions for conservation and long-term administration," the government agency explained. "Against the background of the municipal council's decision to construct an arena on the site of Valhallabadet, which entails demolishing the building, Länsstyrelsen assesses that the conditions to declare Valhallabadet listed are missing."

The redevelopment plans extend beyond just the swimming pool, encompassing a comprehensive transformation of the area. The project will also involve demolishing the adjacent Valhalla sports hall, replacing it with four new sports halls along with additional public and commercial spaces. The ambitious redevelopment was officially determined in 2023 and received final approval from the municipal board in February of this year, with completion targeted for 2031.

Opponents of the demolition argue that alternative solutions exist that could preserve the historic structure while still meeting the city's needs for modern sports facilities. Laurits pointed to alternative proposals, including "one ambitious plan by Krook & Tjäder," suggesting that creative architectural solutions could accommodate both preservation and development. "However, the best solution is to build the new arena and bath somewhere else, where the demand, not least for more swimming opportunities, are bigger," he added.

Architect Tinna Harling, who regularly uses Valhallabadet, criticized the city's decision as misguided and potentially influenced by special interests. "I think that is a very strange decision and that it feels like a strong lobbyism has been behind it," she told reporters. Harling also questioned the project's viability in the current economic climate, stating, "In 2025, those huge projects are totally obsolete and due to the economic and ecological crisis, I think it will be very hard to even carry it out."

Photographer Jonathan Hökklo, whose images document the pool's architectural beauty, emphasized the facility's role as a cultural gathering place that transcends mere recreation. "The natural light and the architecture are just so unreal in there – it's so beautiful and well preserved, and the clientele is also so mixed," he observed. "It's really a cultural hub that unites the city, and connects the past with the present."

The controversy surrounding Valhallabadet reflects a broader international trend of threatened mid-century architectural landmarks facing demolition pressure. Recent similar cases include protests over the planned destruction of the University of Salford's Centenary Building, which was the first-ever winner of the prestigious Stirling Prize, and architect Bertrand Goldberg's cylindrical building in Illinois, which also faces demolition despite its architectural significance.

Hejdelind summarized the opposition's position, declaring that "demolishing the pool is a waste of history, a loss of an important meeting place for the community, loss of public health." She expressed bewilderment at the city's approach, adding, "It is bewildering to me and many others that the City of Gothenburg doesn't seem to appreciate the values it creates for the city and its citizens." Despite multiple requests for comment, the City of Gothenburg has not responded to the mounting criticism of their demolition plans.