Oberstdorf - The construction work for the new Oberstdorf Therme has started.
Mayor Klaus King called the groundbreaking "a milestone for the future of Oberstdorf".
- By HEINRICH BONERT-
At the official groundbreaking ceremony with those involved in the construction and the neighbors, representatives of the market town and the state government emphasized the great importance for tourism.
Especially the smaller landlords without their own bathing and wellness facilities benefited from this.
Mayor Klaus King called the groundbreaking "a milestone for the future of Oberstdorf and a big step with which we are getting closer to the new thermal baths".
The closure tore a large hole.
"I'm glad we're finally getting started," said King.
Even if the new building becomes a "big chunk" for the community.
New thermal baths for Oberstdorf
For tourism director Frank Jost, the thermal baths are one of the largest infrastructure projects in Oberallgäu.
The architects were asked to plan something original and individual that would suit Oberstdorf.
Tourism has recovered well despite Corona, he was satisfied with the current season.
King and Jost emphasized how important the thermal baths are for the town in terms of tourism competition.
They thanked everyone involved and especially the residents.
"Money well spent"
“A location like Oberstdorf needs a good tourist infrastructure,” said Rudolf Eschauer from the State Ministry for Economic Affairs. Oberstdorf is currently a focus of Bavarian tourism promotion with three projects. For him "money well spent". Christof Teige from Auer Weber Architects in Stuttgart called the groundbreaking "a special stage". "What was previously only in the mind and on paper is now a reality".
The new thermal baths are based on three pillars, explained Jost.
The bathing and thermal world, the sauna area and the spa and wellness area.
The bathing area includes, among other things, a 25-meter pool with three lanes also for school and club sports, an adventure pool, an outdoor pool and a children's pool, the sauna area several panorama saunas, a sauna garden and, as a highlight, an infinity pool with a panoramic view of the Oberstdorf mountains .
Allgäu rocky landscape as inspiration
A massage department, a steam bath and infrared cabins await visitors in the wellness area.
The whole thing is connected with numerous sunbathing and resting areas and gastronomic offers.
For Tobias Laipple from Auer Weber it is important that the thermal baths fit into the Oberstdorf townscape.
He presents the material and color concept, which is shaped, for example, by the Allgäu rocky landscape and other impressions of nature.
Project coordinator Max Feldengut called the offer “natural, diverse and authentic with a focus on health tourism, prevention and wellness”.
The demolition of the old thermal baths is controversial
For years there had been fierce arguments and discussions about the demolition of the old thermal baths and the new building.
A citizens' initiative to preserve the old thermal baths was formed.
In August 2018, the then head of tourism Horst Graf created facts and unexpectedly closed the old thermal baths due to "structural defects".
This phase was probably the most critical point in the whole process, explained Feldengut.
With the conclusion of the architectural competition in summer 2019, a big stone was cleared out of the way.
New Oberstdorf thermal baths cost 33 million euros
The municipality expects 125,000 visitors per year.
40 to 50 employees are supposed to take care of the guests.
The first civil engineering work for the 33 million building has already begun.
It is financed through the budget of the health resort through the income from the health resort contributions.
"The thermal bath is co-financed by the holiday guest," says Jost.
There will be an adjustment of the resort fee.
Which does not mean that Oberstdorf is then above the level of comparable destinations.
The community hopes for funding from the Free State of around 10 million euros.
Those involved are confident - despite the tense situation in the construction industry - that they will keep to the schedule and budget.
Oberstdorf now has a two and a half year large construction site in the middle of town.
The handover to the operator is scheduled for July 2024.
After a trial run, the first visitors should be able to swim, take a sauna and relax in the third quarter of 2024.
