Three people were ready at 11 a.m. in bathrobes to take a dip in the water cellar under the southern ring road in Groningen. They left disappointed when it turned out to really be an April Fool’s joke.
Approach South Ring posted a message on the site last week that on Easter Monday it was possible to swim in a water cellar as large as an Olympic swimming pool, coincidentally heated by the Groningen Warmtestad pipes that run underneath. It would also be very clean water.
However, it was warned that there are no changing rooms and that you must wear a swimming cap for safety.
Despite the fairly clear hints that it was an April Fool’s joke, Aanpak Ring Zuid decided to send an employee to be on the safe side to deal with any disappointed swimming enthusiasts. “We saw so many enthusiastic reactions on social media that I decided to stand here,” says Ina de Visser.
Three people in bathrobes
About fifteen people came to take a look, three of whom were actually in bathrobes. “Some wanted to see if people would really fall for it. But possibly, in addition to the three in bathrobes, there were also people who were wearing their swimming suits underneath their clothes.” Among the visitors were also a father and son. The son in particular was very disappointed.
When De Visser is preparing to leave, another man with a bicycle stops. “Are we going downstairs?” he asks. “No, sir, sorry. It was a joke.”
“Seriously?” he responds in disbelief. “I helped build the tank. So I know there really is one.” He turns around and walks back to his bicycle. He comes back with his bicycle in hand to check whether it is really a joke. “Sorry,” De Visser says again.
Yes, there is a large container
“There is indeed a large container in which rainwater is collected,” De Visser explains. “This allows rainwater to be drained off in doses.” That receptacle is still below the sunken location and is indeed as large as an Olympic swimming pool. This prevents the sunken location, the tunnel through which traffic will later pass, from being flooded during heavy rainfall.
De Visser brought a few small gifts for the people who fell for the joke. They were allowed to bring a lunch box, pen, earplugs and a brochure.
Tags: Successful April #1st joke Groningen people showed bathrobes wanted people fall
