New ice stadium in Bad Nauheim: Political consensus for the new building!
New ice stadium in Bad Nauheim: Political consensus for the new building!
in Bad Nauheim, the thing has achieved a special urgency with the ice stadium. Mayor Klaus Kreß emphasizes the essential role of the ice stadium for the cityscape, tradition and the economy. But the condition of the Colonel Knight stadium is worrying; It is in great need of renovation. The city is currently facing a budget deficit of 10.16 million euros for 2025, which makes the financing of an ice stadium new building a challenge.
The ice hockey club EC Bad Nauheim plans to build a new ice stadium, since a renovation of the old stadium would be associated with costs of around 8 million euros. In 2022, the city council decided to draw up a development plan, but the city is dependent on private investors. Kreß emphasizes that the city cannot bear the financial burdens alone, and the search for donors is currently in the background. Ice sports have established itself as an economic factor and traditionally shapes the cityscape of Bad Nauheim.
political consensus and financial support
The political support for ice sports in Bad Nauheim is great; There is a broad consensus about promoting the importance of ice hockey. The EC receives a grant of 900,000 euros annually to cover its operating costs, and Kreß does not expect cuts, despite the budget hole. However, there is the mayor's wish for regional support, since a significant part of the ice hockey fans do not come from Bad Nauheim. District Administrator Jan Weckler from the CDU recognizes the relevance of ice hockey for the entire Wetterau. Nevertheless, financial support for the Wetteraukreis for the new building is unlikely due to the current economic situation.
Last week, it was unanimously decided to put 50,000 euros in the urban budget for project planning. The magistrate was commissioned to examine suitable areas for the new building. The CDU parliamentary group leader Manfred Jordis reported several meetings between the EC and the magistrate's top. SPD and FDP also emphasized the importance of the project. While Peter Heidt from the FDP described the new stadium as a lighthouse project, there were concerns from the first city councilor Peter Krank to wait for further steps until the report is available.The challenge for municipalities
The situation in Bad Nauheim is not unique. According to a KfW local panel, over 90 % of the municipalities invest in sports facilities. Nevertheless, many municipalities have difficulty covering the associated costs. There are considerable investment residues. In the swimming pool sector, many municipalities are faced with closure if there are no renovation measures. Around 76 % of the municipalities advocate improvement in basic financing to counteract these residues.
The development of the new ice stadium in Bad Nauheim will be a test for the cooperation between the city, region and investors. The commitment of everyone involved will be decisive in order to maintain this traditional sports offer.
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