01.06.2026.
The implementation of one of the largest projects in the field of sports and recreational infrastructure in northern Croatia will soon begin in Varaždin. The project relates to the construction of a new recreational swimming pool complex, for which a loan contract was signed on Friday, 29 May 2026, between the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) and the Public Institution "Varaždin City Pools".
The contract was signed by Hrvoje Čuvalo, President of the Management Board of HBOR, Mario Perić, Managing Director of the Banks, Financial Institutions and Local Governments Units Department, and Jelena Pavleković, Director of the Public Institution "Varaždin City Pools".
The total value of the project is approximately EUR 16 million, of which EUR 10 million will be financed by a loan from HBOR under the Urban Development Fund, while the City of Varaždin will provide the remaining EUR 6 million. The special value of the project stems from the fact that as much as EUR 4.5 million of European Union grants will be deducted from the total loan amount, which will significantly reduce the financial burden on the project.
The new swimming pool complex will be built next to the existing city swimming pools and it will include indoor and outdoor recreation areas, children's facilities, slides, whirlpools, catering facilities and other facilities intended for families and recreationists. The project includes energy-efficient technologies such as solar panels, solar collectors and heat pumps, which will ensure production of a part of the required energy from renewable sources.
"The project of the new swimming pool complex represents an investment that goes beyond sports infrastructure because it contributes directly to the quality of life of citizens, sustainable urban development and the attractiveness of Varaždin. We are particularly glad that the project is financed by a combination of HBOR loan funds and the European Union grants through the Urban Development Fund, by which a significant financial impact for the investor is achieved," said the President of HBOR’s Management Board Hrvoje Čuvalo when signing the contract, emphasizing that the application of modern energy solutions and renewable energy resources classified the project among the examples of sustainable investments that HBOR supported continually.
The Mayor of the City of Varaždin Neven Bosilj emphasized the importance of the project for further development of the city and improvement of the quality of life of citizens. "So far, we have had only sports pools, and with this project we will have also recreational facilities, or some kind of "Spa Varaždin" that will be available to citizens throughout the year," said Mayor Bosilj, and added that he expected a contractor to be selected and the project to begin in the autumn, while the project was planned to be completed in two years.
The Director of the Public Institution "Varaždin City Pools", Jelena Pavleković, reminded that the project arose from the citizens' need for recreational facilities that currently did not exist in Varaždin. "The idea of building a recreational pool complex was recognised by the City of Varaždin, and the preparation of project documentation took almost a year and a half to ensure that the project met all the requirements for applying for the Urban Development Fund financing programme," said Pavleković.
Regarding the project of the new swimming pool complex, it should be noted that the City of Varaždin, through the Urban Development Fund, has also provided financing for the project of the innovation centre of the Varaždin Technology Park, which further confirms the success in using development and European sources of financing and the important role of HBOR in implementing investments that contribute to sustainable urban development and the quality of life of citizens.
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The implementation of one of the largest projects in the field of sports and recreational infrastructure in northern Croatia will soon begin in Varaždin. The project relates to the construction of a new recreational swimming pool complex, for which a loan contract was signed on Friday, 29 May 2026, between the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) and the Public Institution "Varaždin City Pools".
The contract was signed by Hrvoje Čuvalo, President of the Management Board of HBOR, Mario Perić, Managing Director of the Banks, Financial Institutions and Local Governments Units Department, and Jelena Pavleković, Director of the Public Institution "Varaždin City Pools".
The total value of the project is approximately EUR 16 million, of which EUR 10 million will be financed by a loan from HBOR under the Urban Development Fund, while the City of Varaždin will provide the remaining EUR 6 million. The special value of the project stems from the fact that as much as EUR 4.5 million of European Union grants will be deducted from the total loan amount, which will significantly reduce the financial burden on the project.
The new swimming pool complex will be built next to the existing city swimming pools and it will include indoor and outdoor recreation areas, children's facilities, slides, whirlpools, catering facilities and other facilities intended for families and recreationists. The project includes energy-efficient technologies such as solar panels, solar collectors and heat pumps, which will ensure production of a part of the required energy from renewable sources.
"The project of the new swimming pool complex represents an investment that goes beyond sports infrastructure because it contributes directly to the quality of life of citizens, sustainable urban development and the attractiveness of Varaždin. We are particularly glad that the project is financed by a combination of HBOR loan funds and the European Union grants through the Urban Development Fund, by which a significant financial impact for the investor is achieved," said the President of HBOR’s Management Board Hrvoje Čuvalo when signing the contract, emphasizing that the application of modern energy solutions and renewable energy resources classified the project among the examples of sustainable investments that HBOR supported continually.
The Mayor of the City of Varaždin Neven Bosilj emphasized the importance of the project for further development of the city and improvement of the quality of life of citizens. "So far, we have had only sports pools, and with this project we will have also recreational facilities, or some kind of "Spa Varaždin" that will be available to citizens throughout the year," said Mayor Bosilj, and added that he expected a contractor to be selected and the project to begin in the autumn, while the project was planned to be completed in two years.
The Director of the Public Institution "Varaždin City Pools", Jelena Pavleković, reminded that the project arose from the citizens' need for recreational facilities that currently did not exist in Varaždin. "The idea of building a recreational pool complex was recognised by the City of Varaždin, and the preparation of project documentation took almost a year and a half to ensure that the project met all the requirements for applying for the Urban Development Fund financing programme," said Pavleković.
Regarding the project of the new swimming pool complex, it should be noted that the City of Varaždin, through the Urban Development Fund, has also provided financing for the project of the innovation centre of the Varaždin Technology Park, which further confirms the success in using development and European sources of financing and the important role of HBOR in implementing investments that contribute to sustainable urban development and the quality of life of citizens.