After detailed discussions, the ESC Geretsried, the operating association and the city made the difficult decision to switch off the cooling systems in the Heinz Schneider ice rink.
The cooling systems in the Geretsried ice rink will be switched off this week.
Economic and ecological reasons are decisive for the decision.
In addition, it is completely unclear whether ice hockey will be played again after the lockdown.
There are plans to start the 2021 ice sports season in spring or early summer to compensate.
Geretsried
- Last week there was still a glimmer of hope at ESC Geretsried that the ice hockey season could possibly be continued after the end of the Christmas lockdown.
But now the lights are going out in the Heinz Schneider ice rink: "After discussions with the city, we decided to switch off the cooling systems," reports Rico Lehwald on request.
As the chairman of the operating association explains, the ice in the stadium was kept upright with minimal cooling after the Bayernliga game round was canceled on November 1st.
However, since the continuation of the season is currently in the stars, this is no longer justifiable for economic and ecological reasons.
"We don't know whether and how things will go on in January," Lehwald clarifies.
For some Bayernliga competitors, the ice in the stadium has already been thawed - in Peißenberg, for example, in Buchloe and in Schongau.
"We would be the last club in the league that would maintain that," said the ice rink boss.
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Rico Lehwald (chairman of the operating association)
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Of course, they thought about keeping the company running at least for the training of the many children and young people.
“But that's completely uneconomical.
Without games and spectators, we have no income to cover the operating costs, ”explains Geretsrieder.
Interestingly, there was also a request from the evangelical community that, due to its size, would have liked to use the ice rink for their Christmas service.
But Lehwald had to reject the church: "We have not yet been approved as an event location, only as a sports facility."
The chairman of the operating association will probably press the switch on Thursday.
"Then the ice has to be planed off to remove the white lime powder, the color for the lines and the advertising space in the Bully circles." He will then see to it that the work in the refurbished stadium, which has not yet been fully completed, is continued.
“At the moment it is the turn of the outdoor facilities.
There is also painting work to be done.
And last but not least, the Eisstüberl is now being completed, ”Lehwald lists.
The 49-year-old has a treat for all disappointed ice sports fans: "If possible, we want to offer our athletes a particularly long 2021/22 season to compensate." Provided that the framework conditions are right, he could imagine the ice rink starting in April to open.
“That would be the preferred date.
Otherwise the opening would be planned for August ”, says Lehwald.
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Markus Janka (Chairman of the ESC Geretsried)
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Markus Janka was also involved in the decision to end the season.
"That is an incredible shame and it was also very difficult for us," emphasized the chairman of the ESC Geretsried.
He too had hoped for six weeks that the situation would change for the better.
"But there is currently no end in sight." Due to the energy and personnel costs incurred, it makes no sense to keep the stadium running.
Even if ice hockey had been possible again after the lockdown in January, “nobody knows whether spectators would have been admitted.
And if not, we would miss the income. ”In this context, Janka is happy that the many sponsors have remained loyal to the ESC:“ I have not yet received a rejection, although they have really received little this season. ”Also There are currently no complaints from the approximately 500 members, whom the club boss will inform immediately about the measure: "The number has remained stable, and we are thinking about how we can accommodate our members." The only positive aspect is, that the renovation measures in the ice rink can now be carried out undisturbed.
When it comes to an earlier opening of the ice season, Janka is not quite as optimistic: "I'm guessing early summer."
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Martin Köhler (Captain of the River Rats)
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Martin Köhler also regrets the sudden end of the ice hockey season in Geretsried.
“But I already thought that it wouldn't be done until January.
Especially since it is currently not at all clear whether it will be possible to play again, ”says the captain of the River Rats.
The 32-year-old and his teammates only played four home games, plus four away games.
The result was impressive, because the team of coach Rudi Sternkopf was in fifth place in the table at the time of the cancellation.
“It's a shame, we were really looking forward to finally being able to play a whole season in our own stadium again,” says Köhler.
And he also reminds of the many young players of the ESC who are affected by the demolition: “At the moment, this is not an easy situation for the children and young people when they have to stay at home and cannot meet up with their friends or do their sport. "
Also read:
Geretsrieder River Rats hope it continues after the lockdown