The Geretsried water sports clubs are concerned at a press conference. For them, the proposed cost model for the use of the new intermunicipal indoor swimming pool is incomprehensible.
- Geretsrieder clubs are to pay fees for the use of the new indoor pool in the future
- DLRG, WSV 72 and Rehab-Sport-Freunde reject the proposed cost model
- They fear unimagined additional costs and club resignations
Geretsried - Geretsried clubs are to pay fees for the use of the new intercommunal indoor swimming pool in the future. For the board members of the local association of the German Lifesaving Society (DLRG), the water sports club (WSV) 72 and the Rehab-Sport-Freunde, the proposed cost model is incomprehensible. In a press conference in the DLRG club house on Jeschkenstrasse, to which sports advisor Wolfgang Werner (SPD) had invited on Sunday morning, they expressed concern.
DLRG ready for use 365 days a year
"When I read the news about the fee increase in the newspaper, I was incredibly shocked," admitted DLRG local chairman Maiko Alpers. In a short presentation he explained that in the Free State of Bavaria, due to the many lakes and rivers in Germany, most drowned people are to be mourned. “In 2019 alone there were 95,” he calculated. The area of operation of the local association extends from the northern district to the neighboring districts of Rosenheim and Miesbach. In addition, the 70 volunteers are involved in youth work and swimming courses. "The training in the old indoor pool is attended by around 290 people of all ages," said Alpers. In some years the DLRG went to the Isar 40 times to rescue people from dangerous situations. "We are ready for action 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," emphasized Alpers.
Crisis summit: (from left) Sports advisor Wolfgang Werner, Monika Grasberger, Anne Feiglbinder, Katharina Laus-Eker and Ingrid Feiglbinder (all rehab sports friends) as well as Maiko Alpers (DLRG).
© Hans Lippert
In another presentation, DLRG treasurer Martin Gerling compared the income and expenses of the local association. The around 500 members put around 20,600 euros in annual fees in the fund. The expenses for the vehicle fleet, building maintenance and material purchasing are enormous. Gerling's conclusion: "The reserves would be used up after two years if there were an indoor swimming pool fee collection: Then we would dissolve the association and there would be no more water rescue in Geretsried," fears the cashier.
Then members will quit, and swimming will become an elite sport that only the rich can afford
Uwe RöhlerAn increase in membership fees is not an option for either the DLRG or WSV 72. "Then the members will resign, and swimming will become an elite sport that only the rich can afford", believes WSV-72 Vice-Chairman Uwe Röhler. If his association were to pay a railway fee of ten euros to the municipal utilities, an amount of around 9,000 euros would come together every year. "That means 90 euros additional costs per child per year," said Röhler.
Increasing the contributions almost impossible
Monika Grasberger and Ingrid Feiglbinder from Rehab-Sport-Freunde referred to the many senior citizens in their club. Most of them receive only a small pension. In addition, there is a bond with the health insurance company, which makes it almost impossible to increase the contributions.
At the end of the press conference, Maiko Alpers announced that he would like to inform the city council members in the DLRG club house about the work of the water rescue organization in the next few weeks. In addition, it is to be checked whether the associations concerned can present themselves in a public city council meeting.
I warn against opening this barrel.
Wolfgang WernerThe clubs reject the points system proposed by Mayor Müller, with which a bonus is to be calculated for unused bathroom hours. Sports advisor Werner fears that there will be a huge administrative burden due to the large number of billing fees and the point system. "I warn against opening this barrel," he said. All in all, the city is only about to waive a ten-month usage fee of 30,500 euros for the clubs in 2021 - the pool is to open on March 1st. Compared to the cost increases in other major projects, that is a sum that is bearable.
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Also read: New indoor swimming pool in Geretsried costs almost 18 million