After years of trembling and anxiety because of the long, roofless stadium, Geretsried's ice athletes can finally prepare for the coming winter season in the renovated arena without any worries.
Geretsried
- The Heinz Schneider ice rink has an eventful history.
It was originally built as a natural ice rink in 1966, then converted to artificial ice in 1973.
A grandstand was added three years later, and the first roof was installed in 1980.
In the 1990s, the refrigeration system switched from ammonia to brine liquid.
There was a crack in the truest sense of the word in 2006 when the roof had to be dismantled due to the risk of collapse.
For 13 long years, the ice athletes had to pursue their hobby in the open air, which was definitely attractive on cold, clear winter days.
Nevertheless, the ESC Geretsried, which has leased the stadium since 2009, was pleased that the city has now roofed and renovated the arena for over ten million euros.
We had much, much more time than in previous years when we were dependent on the weather. "
Stadium boss Rico Lehwald
However, there has never been ice in the Heinz Schneider Stadium as early as this year - namely since July 21st.
"We just wanted to put the months that were missing in the previous season due to corona to the front this time," explains Rico Lehwald.
Under the direction of the stadium manager, the ice was built up for 14 days.
“We had much, much more time than in previous years when we were dependent on the weather,” says Lehwald.
The ice cream masters were then able to calmly apply the white paint to the ice and paint the lines within two days. "It's almost frightening that everything went without any problems," says the stadium manager, who in previous years often had to overcome technical obstacles. This time only a small defect on a compressor had to be fixed.
A look at the official occupancy plan shows: The ice ages in the Geretsrieder Stadium are already in great demand. “Everyone wants to go on the ice,” Lehwald registered. Ice hockey teams from Holzkirchen and Germering would have rented time, the ESC itself held a small training camp for its children. Rick Boehm's famous ice hockey camp takes place on two weekends. The German-Canadian, who has been a trainer at EC Bad Tölz for many years, has been running his school since 2004. “A new place for new impulses,” said the 61-year-old, delighted in the run-up to the move to Geretsried. And after the first camp there is positive feedback. "Both sides are extremely satisfied," reports the stadium boss.
As far as the operation of the hall is concerned, however, it is clear: “A sports facility will never be a lucrative business.” As a tenant, one therefore focuses on “that in the end there is a black zero under the billing”. The previous water exchange with the indoor swimming pool is no longer possible after its new construction and relocation to Adalbert-Stifter-Straße. The block-type thermal power station at the school center is also too far away to generate a meaningful synergy.
In order to keep energy costs as low as possible, however, the entire technology has been optimized.
"The waste heat from the machines is now very low," explains Lehwald.
The photovoltaic system is to be installed and put into operation on the south side of the arena shortly.
“We can then really save electricity costs,” says the stadium manager.
In any case, the building, including the roof, is very well insulated.
Lehwald: “It doesn't really matter whether it's 20 degrees plus or minus temperatures outside.
The climate in the stadium itself is always the same and so are the energy costs. "
partly
Wolfratshausen-Geretsried-Newsletter: Everything from your region! Our brand new Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter informs you regularly about all the important stories from the region - including all the news about the corona crisis in your community. Sign up here.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/KMEYMJKESBAZBE4MRBAM4TGHIQ.jpg)
