Ice hockey parents in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: What will become of the cabins?
Ice hockey parents in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: What will become of the cabins?
In the Olympic ice sports center in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, parents of ice hockey children have recently treaded the public with complaints about the condition of the showers and changing rooms. These concerns were taken up by the municipal council and in particular Martin Sielmann (free and liberal), who brought up the grievances in a written application. In this context, Sielmann spoke of "unsustainable conditions" and pointed to mold and the outdated state of the facilities.
in a meeting that took place in the Olympic Stadium, it was important to those responsible for the municipal works to clarify the facts. Wodan Lichtmeß, the head of the municipal works, explained together with his deputy Dr. Sabine Wagner and head of department Barbara Oberfranc, which has been in the renovation of the center since 2013. A total of 4.64 million euros have been invested in the past ten years to modernize the facilities and make it safer. These investments included areas such as changing rooms, ventilation and fire protection.
owner and tenant: a relationship with challenges
The ice hockey youngsters of SC Riessersee focus on this discussion because the symptoms from the ranks of the parents are piling up. Sielmann had ignored this for many years and only acted actively after consultation with the mothers and fathers. Interestingly, he admits that he has never been in the ice sports center, which makes his efforts all the more interesting. It seems as if he only wanted to hear the concerns of the citizens.
for Benedikt Heimstädt, the chairman of the youth association, the initiative by Sielmann was a surprise. He expressed that he had no contact with Sielmann so far and that communication with the association would have been welcome. Heimstädt emphasizes that the problems are not only in the maintenance of the cabins, but also in other areas, such as the high costs for ice use.
investments and future projects
The responsible bodies make it clear that the cleanliness of the showers does not fall into the area of responsibility of the municipal works, but the responsibility of the tenant. This statement raises questions about the duties and responsibilities of the users. While the tour of the ice sports center was continued, there were also indications of the commitment of the municipal works in order to tackle ongoing maintenance problems; However, the results often seem to be pushed into the background.
In another point of the discussion, the topic of cleanliness and duties of the tenants was addressed. Those responsible for the ice sports center feel unfairly treated by criticism of their commitment, especially since they repeatedly point out that users and tenants should meet their own responsibility for maintenance and cleanliness. According to Barbara Oberfranc, pollution and damage in the cabins are often due to the lack of care of the users.
For the coming ice season, which officially begins on August 31, those responsible for the municipal works have plans to advertise the ice sports center more active. These include measures for roof renovation and the installation of a new cash register system. These initiatives are promoted by federal pages and should help to make the center more attractive for users.
shared responsibility in the sports infrastructure
It has become clear that the responsibilities between the municipal works and the associations are clearly delimited, but close cooperation is also necessary to find permanent solution to the challenges. The ice sports center in Garmisch-Partenkirchen could benefit from better communication between the parties and a more focused approach in the maintenance and cleanliness of its facilities. The concerns of the parents and the demands on the infrastructure show how important transparency and understanding between users and operators are to ensure a positive sports environment.
background information on the ice sports center Garmisch-Partenkirchen
The Olympic Ice Sports Center (OEZ) was originally built for the 1936 Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and has played a central role in regional sports life since then. The location is not only important for ice hockey, but also for other events and leisure activities. In recent years there have been considerable discussions about the need for renovations and modernizations of the old wing from the 1930s, which is used by various users, including ice hockey clubs and leisure teams. Political and public feedback regarding the infrastructure has increased the pressure on those responsible in recent years to check and implement necessary investments.
The financial situation of the municipality and the municipal works play a crucial role in prioritizing investments. Refurbishment and larger renovations often have to be considered in the context of the entire budget. While funds have been continuously invested in different areas of the OEZ in the past, maintaining the infrastructure remains a constant challenge, especially in times when the financial resources are limited.
statistics and data for the use of the ice sports center
According to current statistics, over 50,000 visitors were recorded in the Olympic ice sports center in 2023, which indicates a high demand for ice sports facilities in the region. Admission prices and the usage fees are usually affordable for the user groups, but the operation of the facilities still requires careful budget planning on the part of the municipal works. It is important to mention that the SC Riessersee association, which plays an important role in the ice hockey sport of the region, also actively addresses new members and visitors to increase the use and attractiveness of the OEZ.The ice sports center itself has invested a total of 4.64 million euros in renovation measures in the past ten years. These funds flowed into different areas, including the modernization of the changing rooms, improving the ventilation systems and the renewal of the lighting. Such investments are essential to maintain the attractiveness of the location and to ensure that the facilities correspond to today's standards.
internal challenges and cooperation
The cooperation between the municipal works and the user meetings is of great importance to maintain enthusiasm for ice sports. The SC Riessersee has found that it is necessary to maintain a clear communication line to those responsible for the infrastructure in order not only to speak about the structural conditions, but also about the emotional incentives for the children and adolescents who train in these facilities.
Effective cooperation could help to reconcile the interests of both sides and at the same time reduce the pressure on those responsible. If parents and club representatives take their concerns directly to the association instead of communicating them through political channels, this could lead to a more constructive dialogue. The association plays a central role in promoting facility management practices as well as contributing to the creation of a positive cost effect.