VIDEO: Zagreb teases long-awaited Špansko pool opening, and residents quickly guess the secret

“Something is being prepared in the west of the city. Just a little longer...” With that message, Zagreb teased residents about what lies behind the blue color in a short social media video. Viewers quickly concluded that the mystery was the opening of the long-awaited swimming pool in Špansko.

The post came a few days after Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said the pool should open the following week. He also confirmed that the facility had received its occupancy permit. “We have the exact date, but I won’t say it. I’m joking. It should open next week. I hope to see you next week so we can open the pool,” he said when asked when the first visitors would be admitted.

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Something is being prepared in the west of the city. Just a little longer... And we will reveal what lies behind the blue color.

The city still withheld the specific date in its latest announcement, choosing instead to rely on the brief video and the words “Just a little longer.” Residents nevertheless responded enthusiastically. Comments included “I can’t wait for the Špansko pool,” “Finally!!!” and “Great, Špansko is waiting.”

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We have the exact date, but I won’t say it. I’m joking. It should open next week. I hope to see you next week so we can open the pool.

Not everyone was pleased. Some users criticized the long wait, with one asking whether the pool should already have been put into operation. Another warned of possible parking problems and traffic congestion once it opens.

Tomašević previously attributed the delay to the complexity of the project. He said pools require a range of specialized permits, inspections and technical checks, unlike projects the city carries out more often, such as schools, kindergartens and roads. He said expert supervision would determine responsibility for missed deadlines, and that the city would seek contractual penalties if the contractor was at fault. The city’s latest message suggests the wait may finally be nearing its end.

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When you build a stadium once every 50 years or a pool once every 20 years, these are much more complex projects requiring different permits, inspections, technical checks and more.