- Rethymno has received approval for a new Olympic-size swimming complex.
- The project budget is €4,092,000 including VAT.
- The municipality of Rethymno is the official beneficiary and project owner.
- Funding comes through the National Development Program (EPA) 2026–2030.
- Construction tender procedures will begin soon.
- The facility is expected to strengthen athlete training and sports tourism in Crete.
A Major Sports Investment for Rethymno
Rethymno is preparing for a significant upgrade to its sports infrastructure after the official approval of a new Olympic-size swimming facility, a project worth more than €4 million.
The decision was formally announced today, marking what local officials describe as an important step for competitive sports and youth training on the island.
Rethymno mayor Giorgis Marinakis received official written confirmation from Deputy Minister of Sports Yiannis Vroutsis, confirming that the project titled “Supply and Installation of an Industrialized Swimming Complex” will move forward with a total budget of €4,092,000, including VAT (24%).
Although the decision had been signaled about eleven days earlier, today’s announcement effectively moves the project into the implementation phase.
Under the official decision, the Municipality of Rethymno will act as both the beneficiary and the project owner.
Preparing the Tender and Construction Phase
Local authorities have already begun preparations.
Earlier today, Mayor Marinakis met with the responsible deputy mayors and the municipality’s technical services team to coordinate the next steps before the construction tender is officially announced.
The funding will come from the National Development Program (EPA) 2026–2030, specifically from the sports sector subprogram. The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports—under the leadership of Minister Sofia Zacharaki—has also been formally informed of the project’s progress.
Key project facts include:
- Project title: Supply and installation of an industrialized swimming complex
- Budget: €4,092,000 (including 24% VAT)
- Program: National Development Program (EPA) 2026–2030
- Project owner: Municipality of Rethymno
- Next step: Tender announcement and contractor selection
Funding is expected to be released by the end of the current month, allowing the municipality to move forward with procurement and construction procedures.
A Boost for Athletes and Sports Tourism
Once completed, the Olympic-size pool will provide modern training facilities for athletes, teams, and local sports clubs, filling a long-standing gap in Rethymno’s sports infrastructure.
Beyond the local sports community, the new complex could also help strengthen sports tourism, a growing sector in Crete that includes training camps, competitions, and off-season athletic events.
For a region already known for its beaches and history, the addition of modern athletic infrastructure may create a new reason for teams and sports organizations to look toward Rethymno as a training destination.
And for young swimmers growing up in western Crete, the project promises something simpler but just as important: a proper Olympic-standard pool to train in.
