Final end for surfing wave: Wolfratshausen city council decides to reverse the project worth millions

Created: 07/05/2022, 06:30

By: Peter Herrmann

This is where the wave should have come from: For nine years, the association "Surfing Wolfratshausen" fought for the location on the Loisacharm in front of the Weidachmühle.

© Peter Herrmann

Wolfratshausen – The Wolfratshausen city council meeting recently decided to reverse the Surfwelle project.

The decision did not come as a surprise: as early as February, the city council refused to approve the construction of an artificial surfing wave in Weidach due to a further increase in costs.

Nevertheless, shortly afterwards there was a suggestion as to how money could be saved.

Vain.

At the most recent city council meeting, the decision to reverse the project was unanimously approved.

This annuls all resolutions that have been made since 2013 to implement the surfing wave.

Contracts that have been concluded are no longer valid.

271,000 euros from the European Leader funding program must be returned.

As reported, the planners assumed total investment costs of 1.4 million euros in the spring.

"Price uncertainties and imponderables"

After the rejection by the city council, the manufacturer of the steel construction proposed a cheaper variant: a "single ramp" was to replace the flexible and more expensive "modul ramp".

However, a new Europe-wide tender and a re-planning of the project would mean a lot of time, personnel and costs.

"In addition, the effects of the corona pandemic and the Ukraine war are affecting the construction project and leading to great price uncertainty and unpredictability of delivery times," regretted Mayor Klaus Heilinglechner.

Donors can reclaim amount

He no longer sees any point in commissioning other offices.

The city councilors saw it the same way, but praised the nine-year commitment of the association "Surfing Wolfratshausen", which had collected around 125,000 euros thanks to donations and crowdfunding campaigns.

Club chairwoman Stefanie Kastner and her husband Marcus took the decision calmly.

“The wave died years ago with the delays.

That doesn't make anything cheaper," explained Kastner when asked.

His wife thanked all volunteer supporters.

“We would never have lasted this long without you.

It's a shame that it wasn't enough in the end," she said, disappointed.

Donors who wish to have their amount refunded can claim it.

For everyone else, the association will suggest using their donations for children and young people in Wolfratshausen.