Therme Erding is still closed.
Owner Jörg Wund puts the loss of sales at 46 million euros - and still invests in a renovation.
Erding - Jörg Wund, who has so far been brave and spoiled for success, really does not get this sentence easily over the lips.
"We have been closed for 300 days since the beginning of the pandemic." But the owner of Therme Erding does not give up.
On the contrary.
For the third time since he had to close the world's largest wellness facility for the first time on March 13, 2020, he is tackling a renovation - the largest to date.
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Tree houses are being built in the palm garden of the wave pool.
The aim is to create more (exclusive) space.
© Hans Moritz
The "Ursprungstherme", which opened on October 3, 1999 and has not been closed for a single day to date, will be completely renovated by the summer.
“When, if not now?” Says the entrepreneur from Lake Constance.
Not only that: He is also investing in the sauna area, the Galaxy slide park and the spa area for even more exclusivity.
He takes six million euros into his hands for this.
"And that although we have been living on the substance for months and I am still waiting for a large part of the state aid," says Wund.
Therme Erding: It partially opens for hotel guests on Saturdays
What makes him happy: On Saturday he can unlock the hotel again, and so can the wave pool and the outdoor facilities - initially only for hotel guests.
The rooms are already 60 percent booked over Pentecost.
Wund is convinced: "From now on things are looking up."
Whoever enters the Kern-Therme is amazed: the pools are empty and dusty, the ceilings are suspended, cables hang down.
Nets are stretched under the glass dome.
“All plastic glass elements are replaced, plus 30,000 meters of seals,” explains Wund.
The company that built the dome over 20 years ago still has the plans.
This project alone costs four to five million euros.
Until August: Extensive renovation of the Erding thermal baths
Everything at Therme Erding should be new by August, as this area cannot be used for that long. However, there will be an opportunity to get from the slide paradise Galaxy to the sauna area. "That was an enormous economic risk," explains the owner. “But if you do, you have to do it now. I don't want to lock up again when normality has returned. ”The redevelopment area covers 10,000 square meters. Ventilation and electrical systems are also being renewed. And mini excavators drive in the basement to make space for an additional splash water tank.
Although Wund already worked hard during the first two lockdowns in the sauna area, workers can be seen here again.
"We are expanding the area on the sauna gallery by 900 square meters," explains Wund.
2000 square meters of new marble floors have already been laid in the hall; the additional space is gained through constructions that are reminiscent of four-poster beds that support another level.
Wund speaks of a sky lounge.
Video: 6 months ago a report about the renovation of the Erding thermal baths
The spa area of Therme Erding is also being renovated
The exclusive spa area is also being expanded - with a 400 square meter Paradise Lounge and a second entrance.
The work started in April and should be completed in July.
Both projects cost around 400,000 euros
You can go up high, four meters to be precise, in the wave pool.
“There are tall palm trees.
Then the thought occurred to me, why can't these be used for tree houses? ”Said Wund, explaining his thoughts.
Now free-standing steel trees for 16 platforms with ten palm nests of 25 square meters each are being set up.
They will be ready for occupancy in July.
This project is estimated at half a million euros.
Exclusive private area with its own whirlpool: Alm Chalets at Therme Erding
The three new Alm Chalets next to the Galaxy, exclusive rooms, one of which has its own whirlpool, are almost finished.
100,000 euros are reserved for this.
The Hotel Victory can also grow moderately - by five rooms in a Mediterranean design.
And in the boarding house next to the bathroom, rooms are being converted for guests.
These investments are all the more courageous as the thermal baths are still closed and there is still no opening perspective. "I can no longer count the many sleepless nights in which I racked my brain about the future of the thermal baths," admits Wund. What annoys him is the lack of help from the state. "So far, only two percent of the lost sales have been reimbursed," complains Wund, who puts it at around 46 million euros. There was talk of 70 percent. According to the owner, the thermal baths are still waiting for the November and December help. For the period between January and June he can hope for two million euros - for the pools in Erding and Bad Wörishofen as well as the Hotel Victory.
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