The energy crisis also affects the operators of ice sports facilities. While the large Hessian ice rinks initially want to maintain operations in winter, cities with temporary outdoor ice rinks are looking for alternatives.
Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) – Despite the energy crisis, ice skating should be possible in Hessen for the most part this winter – albeit with restrictions and not everywhere. Large Hessian ice rinks, which combine leisure and competitive sports under one roof, are initially planning normal operations. Other ice rinks are examining alternatives. An idea: plastic instead of ice.
In the ice rink in Willingen in northern Hesse, which is open all year round, the doors should also remain open in winter. “Our ice rink offers an attractive tourist offer, but it is mainly rented by sports groups,” said an employee. Maintaining training is important. Due to rising energy costs, higher admission prices are planned for the coming year, but these still have to be agreed politically.
In the ice rink in Darmstadt, admission this season is already about 30 percent more, as an employee said when asked. Overall, we try to keep the business going for as long as possible. “Our electricity contract will expire at the end of the year and we’ll have to wait until then and then see what happens.” In addition to recreational sports, the hall in Darmstadt is primarily used for training by the local ice hockey and figure skating clubs.
This also applies to the “Colonel Knight Stadium” in Bad Nauheim. In order for the league operations in ice hockey and ice skating to continue, efforts are being made to ensure normal operations, the stadium administration said. “We’re trying to save by not preparing the ice after each group, as we usually do.” At the end of October, the ice rink in the Wetterau district also wants to start public ice skating. This is already running in the Lauterbach ice rink in the Vogelsberg district. “We are planning a normal season without ticket price increases,” said an employee. Everything else also depends on political decisions.
If the Hessian Association of Cities’ Energy Saving Package has its way, the operation of ice rinks and ice rinks for pure leisure time enjoyment should be stopped. The city of Wiesbaden therefore does not want to put its artificial ice rink into operation in winter. “Since leisure-oriented use clearly predominates at the Henkell artificial ice rink, the operating committee followed the specifications of the Hessian City Association, according to which the operation of ice rinks is to be discontinued,” says a statement from the city. In terms of the role model function of the state capital and against the background of the high energy requirements of the open-air ice rink, there is no possibility of opening it this winter season.
Other Hessian cities with temporary ice rinks are looking for alternatives. “In consultation with the cities, we are currently planning tracks with synthetic surfaces,” said Holger Helmiss, who has been responsible for the open-air ice rinks in Hofheim, Bad Vilbel and Eschborn with his event agency in recent years. Synthetic ice rinks are also used for summer training in the American NHL ice hockey league, for example, and are basically just as mobile as real ice surfaces.
There are similar considerations in the city of Marburg, which offers a covered artificial ice rink with the “Ice Palace” six weeks a year. “We are currently examining the possibilities. Artificial ice is conceivable,” said a city employee. Since the ice rink is primarily for leisure fun, but there is also a school sports program in the morning, efforts are being made to find a good solution, especially for children and young people. However, there is no final decision yet.
Hanau and Taunusstein near Wiesbaden already gained experience with ice-free synthetic tracks last winter and this spring. Even if the experiences and feedback were positive, energy costs still incurred due to lighting during operation, explained employees of the two cities. Hanau therefore wants to do without the synthetic track this winter. In Taunusstein there are still considerations for a concept.
