Berlin - Sports and Health Center

(Local Name: Sport und Erholungszentrum SEZ) Situated east of Friedrichshain Public Park in Berlin, the popular SEZ Sports and Health Center was opened on March 20, 1981. Showing the influence of Swedish and (at the time) West German architects, the skillfully designed complex with its huge areas of glass is most impressive. It aims to provide both health and other leisure facilities.

The actual sports facilities are on the second and third levels. The large swimming hall is particularly attractive. There is a total water area of 1,795 sq.m/19,300 sq.ft, divided into several pools (swimming pool, diving pool, pool for the disabled, cascade and wave pool) and a channel leads to the open air pool. There is also a sauna and a solarium. The sports hall is divided into a body-building studio, a keep-fit room and a fitness-testing and conditioning room, as well as a gymnasium.

There are also roller-skating and ice-skating rinks ("Polarium"), a bowling-alley with sixteen lanes, a foyer, club room and seven guest rooms. An extensive lawned leisure park surrounds the complex. It covers over 5 hectares/12.5 acres, with a number of sports fields and games areas (tennis, various ball games, chess, etc.)