Surf wave in Wolfratshausen has died – donations are now going back

Created: 06/08/2022 07:11

By: Franca Winkler

Ultimately, the surf wave project failed due to the current economic and financial situation.

© Dieter Deventer

Wolfratshausen – The surfing wave in Wolfratshausen will definitely not be built.

The association is now announcing how it will proceed with the return of donations.

The project has been initiated and promoted by the Surfing Wolfratshausen association for over nine years.

As reported, the project was unanimously terminated at the city council meeting on June 28th.

According to the administration, a continuation poses too high a risk for the city, since the financial scope has decreased.

Surfing Wolfratshausen regrets finally leaving the wave in Weidach

The Board of Directors of the Wolfratshausen Surfing Association very much regrets that the successes achieved so far - for example the building permit, operator contract with the association, agreement and compromise with the fishing association as well as the voluntary commitment of the association and many entrepreneurs and citizens - are not rewarded by the construction of the artificial water wave will.

In the past nine years, there have been repeated delays, cost increases and funding gaps

Stafanie Kastner, Chairwoman of the Surfing Wolfratshausen Club

"Over the past nine years, there have repeatedly been delays, unexpected increases in costs and gaps in financing, which have often put the project on hold," says Stefanie Kastner, chair of the association.

Each time, thanks to the numerous supporters with creative ideas from stakeholders, many critical phases have been overcome.

Fundraising campaign by Surfing Wolfratshausen has been a success

In December 2019, for example, a fundraiser raised a sum of over 63,000 euros within just ten days, thereby closing the first significant euro gap.

Over the years, the initiators had collected donations totaling over 135,000 euros.

In addition, the association had promised the city a refinancing of the costs for the shaft construction and the construction costs in the amount of more than 350,000 euros.

"The association could have paid back this sum within fifteen years thanks to its sophisticated operator concept and the resulting surpluses," explains Kastner.

Based on this agreement and the underlying business model, the city lifted the cost cap in December 2021.

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When, in February 2022, the costs for the shaft construction had to be calculated more than 142,000 euros higher, the Management Board saw no more options for assuming further payment obligations or raising funds in any other way.

According to Kastner, other funding options are largely excluded.

The city council's decision is difficult, but understandable for Surfing Wolfratshausen

Kastner understands that the city council unanimously rejected the continuation of the project on June 28th.

"As bitter as it is, if the project had been pursued further it would have had to be made available due to the current economic crisis," says Kastner.

The fact that the city council did not want to take this step must now be accepted.

“For a long time, I resisted listening to the prophecies of doom that were whispered in one's ear, 'that's-not going-to-be-in-Wolfratshausen'.

From my point of view, the wave would have sent a positive signal and in many aspects would have contributed to the further development of Wolfratshausen.

"Now we are left empty-handed with a huge support community - and Wolfratshausen missed an opportunity," sums up Jan Görner, board member of the association.

Donations for the Surfwelle Wolfratshausen project will be returned

The reversal of the donations already paid will start soon.

The city of Wolfratshausen announced that the funds from the EU Leader program have now been returned.

The program supports regional development concepts.

The idea of ​​the Loisach Wave received a very high score.

All supporters who have donated via RiLEG crowdfunding (Raiffeisenbank Isar-Loisachtal, "Many create more") or via the "betterplace" donation platform will soon be contacted by the city or "betterplace" and informed about the repayment process.

Wave sponsors can decide: money back or for a youth initiative

Every donor can decide whether they want their payment back or whether it can be passed on to the "Foundation for Children and Young People in Geretsried/Wolfratshausen".

The donations that are not reclaimed will be used by the aforementioned foundation, in particular for projects of the RAI (short for Roll Active Initiative).

The RAI is a youth initiative under the umbrella organization of the children and youth development association and, among other things, takes care of the maintenance of the skate park in Waldram.

Donations will be automatically reversed from the end of August

Anyone who has transferred their donation directly to the association and would like to waive the repayment in favor of the foundation should contact the association by e-mail at info@surfing-wolfratshausen.de by the end of August at the latest.

Otherwise, all donations will be automatically refunded by the association.

"We would be very pleased if many donors waived the repayment of their donations and so part of the donations we collected could be used in this way for a sporting offer for children and young people in Wolfratshausen," says Marcus Kastner, member of the board.

Club Surfing Wolfratshausen says goodbye to active city life

Fought for the construction of the surfing wave: Stefanie and Marcus Kastner from the Surfing Wolfratshausen association.

© Peter Herrmann

"The club says goodbye to active city life with a big thank you to all supporters of the surfing wave.

It was a great and impressive people was supported by volunteers.

We couldn't give more with the best will in the world," Kastner draws the official conclusion on the part of the club.

It was an experience for everyone, with how much joy and motivation the work of the association was supported by so many people on a voluntary basis.

“A lot was achieved together, obstacles were overcome and bridges were built.

There was a lot of communication, laughing and celebrating.

A great spirit came to town.

Hopefully we can keep some of it," says Mayor Heilinglechner.