Young men gather for sports facility

You feel like moving: Patrick Mengel and Alexander Niklas like to train, preferably with their own body weight.

The two residents of Weilheim are convinced that others can also enjoy the sport.

And that's why we want to expand the fitness park in the Au.

For this they collect donations.

Weilheim

- Patrick Mengel loves sports. Climbing with his special Alexander Niklas. Playing basketball or beach volleyball, running on a slackline, going on a via ferrata. The Weilheimer just likes to be on the move. But he and Mengel prefer to devote themselves to "calisthenics" - the sport in which you train with your own body weight. To do this, they hung up pull-up bars in their own apartment, using rings that they attached to trees. And they trained with others at the “Trimmpark Au”. "But the course is not intended for our exercises, we have to use the equipment for other purposes," says Mengel. For example, a high pull-up bar is missing. That gave the two people from Weilheim an idea: They want to expand the range in the Au, currently seven devices. The 19-year-old Mengel and Niklas (20) collect donations for this.

The aim is to buy a cohesive system that consists of vertical and horizontal bars and offers various training options. Individual elements could also be purchased - but then each would need its own foundations. Mengel is convinced that a contiguous park “is more stable and less expensive”. The device is conceivable on a previously unused green area next to the fitness park. "The location is particularly advantageous because the Au is already a much-used recreational area and borders on housing developments," says a letter from the young men that they sent to companies asking for donations.

The city of Weilheim welcomes the project - but cannot manage it financially.

“We're clammy this year,” says Mayor Markus Loth.

He is all the more enthusiastic about the commitment of the two boys.

“This is a really great action.

Simply great.

I am happy that we have such young people. ”Loth announces support.

He would like to provide the property and can well imagine that the city will take over the maintenance costs later.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the topic will be in the building committee, then the city councils can decide on it.

Your "yes" alone would not be enough - the financing also has to be clarified.

Mengel and Niklas were hardworking and have already found several sponsors.

You are also planning to set up a donation account so that you can collect more money.

They have already selected possible sports equipment - in various price ranges between almost 3,000 and 10,000 euros.

The two also have in the back of their minds that erection will also cost money - among other things, foundations are required.

"We try to be able to provide as much money as possible," says Mengel.

The sponsors should then later be presented on a board next to the sports equipment - as is the case with the existing facility.

Mengel is convinced that the offer will be of interest to many residents of Weilheim.

The fitness park is "already visited regularly by many citizens.

Joggers and walkers often complement their passion with a visit to this park, ”he says.

With the extension “the body can be trained comprehensively”.

There is already a similar system in Weilheim at the Come-in youth center. However, this is tied to opening times, there must be a supervisor on site and the offer is aimed at young athletes. Instead, anyone in the Au could train around the clock - after all, pull-ups and sit-ups don't make any noise.