September the 30th, 2026 – Wellovar, the much anticipated Bjelovar geothermal complex is now open, with the ceremony attended by approximately 600 guests.
The ceremony was attended by around 600 guests, and alongside Mayor Dario Hrebak and Bjelovar-Bilogora County Prefect Marko Marušić, the highest-ranking state guests included Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina.
Poslovni reports that after years of planning, preparation and 23 months of intensive construction, Wellovar opened its doors today. The ceremony was held as part of the celebrations of Bjelovar’s 270th birthday, and the new complex in Veliko Korenovo was presented as the largest project in the city’s history.
The way Wellovar was opened was particularly symbolic. Instead of the classic ribbon-cutting, 18 Bjelovar residents of different generations jumped into the Olympic pool. The youngest was a kindergarten-age girl, and among the participants were also well-known Bjelovar athletes, swimmers and pensioners. This “Generational Jump” was meant to symbolise the decades during which the people of Bjelovar had waited for an indoor Olympic pool, as well as the fact that the project is intended for the generations to come.
Wellovar was built as a geothermal sports and recreational complex and contains a total of 10 pools – five indoor and five outdoor. The complex also has four saunas, a gym, sports and recreational facilities and a restaurant. The outdoor pools will be presented to the public next spring.
Terme Bjelovar Director Zvonimir Žarec emphasised that behind the project were 23 months of intensive work, numerous challenges, but also a large team that in recent months prepared the complex for its first guests. Terme currently employs 47 people, and the number of employees will continue to grow. For Bjelovar, the opening of Wellovar also marks the beginning of a new tourism and economic story. With the project, the city aims to position itself as a destination for geothermal, sports and health tourism, and the new complex should also attract visitors from outside Bjelovar.
