What would be the consequences if the operation of the Tölz Ice Stadium was restricted to save energy?
The municipal utilities and the ECT President comment.
Bad Tölz – In the current discussion about ways to save energy, it is an obvious question.
But saying it takes courage in an ice hockey town like Bad Tölz: how much energy consumption could actually be avoided if the operations of the Tölz ice stadium were restricted?
As reported, the topic was addressed publicly for the first time in the citizens' assembly.
At the request of our newspaper, both the stadium operator - the municipal utility company - and ECT President Hubert Hörmann emphasized that such a step would have immense social consequences.
Tölzer Eisstadion: Energy for the arena from our own combined heat and power plant
Mathematically, the topic certainly harbors a certain potential for savings.
For the ice alone, the ice stadium needs 1.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity per season, explains Stadtwerke spokeswoman Martina Geisberger on request.
So far, this has cost around 65,000 euros.
"We have the advantage that our energy for the ice rink is generated from our own combined heat and power plant in the building," emphasizes Geisberger.
"However, this is operated with gas." Therefore, the municipal utilities expect that the costs could increase up to tenfold.
"At the moment, however, we can still mitigate this somewhat through our long-term energy purchases."
You can find more current news from the region around Bad Tölz at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.
Stadtwerke boss fears social damage
Should and must we then discuss the topic?
"You can discuss anything," replies Stadtwerke boss Walter Huber.
"But taking energy costs as the only basis for decision-making falls short." On the other hand, he fears "social damage that cannot yet be measured, but in my opinion cannot be insignificant".
Namely: "Young people who can no longer practice their hobby - especially after the long Corona break - may finally distance themselves from sport." Therefore, the municipal utilities would also "try everything", the swimming pool operation for schools and clubs for as long as possible to maintain.
Equally unforeseeable, according to Geisberger, are the "effects on the nationwide reputation of Bad Tölz as a legendary ice hockey location".
Apart from that, the municipal utilities are contractually bound to the ECT.
“A voluntary closure without a government requirement could also result in recourse payments to us.
Ultimately, these are also borne by the citizens.”
Fixed costs would continue to run even if the facility were closed
A closure would have fatal effects not least on the new host of the stadium restaurant, the press spokeswoman continued.
She also points out that even if the ice rink were closed, fixed costs such as ventilation and staff would continue to run, and in the event of a partial shutdown, the costs for the showers and restaurant heating would also continue.
ECT President: Closure would affect children and young people
As expected, ECT President Hubert Hörmann also rejects the idea in no uncertain terms - and that is important to him - "not only from the President's point of view, but also from the point of view of a citizen", as he says.
For him, the question is about more than Tölz and ice hockey - it's even about the "free basic order".
Hörmann states: "As a result of the unspeakable attack on the Ukraine, the ideal world in Europe has come apart at the seams." In a situation in which "we are all confronted with considerable additional costs in paying for the amounts of energy", one could of course start to turn off the electricity at all ice rinks, as well as other multi-purpose halls or concert halls.
"In sport, after the pandemic, it would hit children and young people again," says Hörmann.
"The question is whether a society, an economic nation, can afford that the weakest, the youngest and the most important for the future have to foot the bill."
Hörmann sees social cohesion in danger
Rather, Hörmann is convinced that the closure of every sports club would further divide society – and that is exactly the goal of the “warmongers”: “namely, to stir up discord in the society of democratic neighboring countries”.
The crisis must not lead to a shambles remaining in the end.
Society thrives on cooperation, social institutions and non-profit associations.
According to Hörmann, one should not give in to the attempt to “infiltrate as much discord as possible into a democratic society”.
If it were to close, work for young people would be ruined
According to Hörmann, if an ice rink were only to operate one ice rink, the effects on young ice hockey players would be serious if other teams, i.e. hobby teams, were also served with ice times.
But Hörmann says he doesn't want to argue like someone "for whom the shirt is closer than the pants".
According to him, even amateur teams should not “pay the aggressor’s bill”.
In the event that the ice stadium is completely closed for a year, "I can say without exaggeration that the work with young people will then go to pieces," says the ECT President.
Inline hockey is no alternative
And could it theoretically also be played on a surface other than ice – such as inline hockey?
Hörmann replies that the club's teams compete within the Bavarian Ice Sports Association (BEV) and the German Ice Hockey Association (DEB).
"If the ECT were to play inline hockey instead of ice hockey, we would be eliminated from all competitions."
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