The last work and preparations for the start of the season are underway in the Geretsrieder ice rink.
Geretsried
- The Indian summer is currently warming up again outside, and winter is gradually coming under the new roof of the completely renovated Heinz Schneider ice rink.
"We have just started to cool the field down," says Rico Lehwald, head of the stadium club.
As the week progresses, “we build up the ground ice layer by layer to about 1.5 to 2 centimeters.
Then it is painted and lined, then the ice cream is put on - and that's it. ”So next Sunday the first ice skater could do his or her circles on the field - unfortunately only in theory.
"As long as we have not received approval from the district office, whether as a sports facility or in a large form as a meeting place, we will have to wait that long." Lehwald hopes that the authority will give its approval by the end of September at the latest.
In the meantime there is still a lot to be done.
Operating an ice rink during a pandemic is “a highly complex matter,” says Lehwald, adding a little heretically: “A lot would certainly be easier if we didn't let people in.” But that's the last thing the stadium boss wants.
"We want fans and we need them to finally generate some income again."
"We want fans and we need them to finally generate some income again."
Rico Lehwald, head of the stadium club
200 spectators per game are allowed according to the current status.
How they can watch a River Rats match as safely as possible remains to be clarified.
Do visitors have to wear masks during the entire game?
Or only when entering and leaving the stadium?
How can the safety distance of one and a half meters be maintained and controlled?
How many folders do you need?
Can the cabins be used?
An engineering office is supposed to answer the latter question.
Because the old ventilation system has to blow a good amount of fresh air into the cabins.
The duration of use depends on the or it specifies the period in which a cabin must remain free after use.
Three hygiene concepts are necessary
The German Ice Hockey Federation has developed a hygiene concept for ice rinks using the example of the performance center in Füssen.
However, this cannot be transferred one-to-one to every other arena and is therefore “only of limited use,” says Lehwald.
So the Geretsried tinker with their own concept, which actually consists of three: that of the stadium club for the building itself, a second for the restaurant - even if it won't open anytime soon - and a third of the ESC Geretsried, which thus its members and protect active people.
Lehwald is “a great help” in this context, ESC youngster Markus Gregor, “who does a lot of work for me”.
In addition, the stadium club and ESC have got the professional help of a specialist company that creates such concepts individually.
At the moment "we are in the process of thinking about the route," reports Lehwald.
To do this, he had an appointment on Tuesday afternoon.
Otherwise the stadium is making great strides.
"It looks nice", now that the playing field is free of machines and building materials, Lehwald enthuses.
The breakwaters were being installed.
The VIP room now has windows and is painted blue.
The stadium club's office is ready for occupancy and the kitchen is “almost completely tiled”.
The acceptance tests run in parallel.
According to Lehwald, the water supply is "90 percent through", the new pipes are all measured and "super in order".
A plumbing specialist had to unlock the small part of the old stock; measurements were only taken there last week.
Now the stadium manager is waiting for the result.
"If that's okay too, we can use the sanitary rooms - as far as the Corona allows us, of course."
peb
Also read: “Just awesome”: The old Geretsried ice rink has become a real gem
