The Corona crisis also hits the Freising climbing center hard. The company is completely shut down - and the consequences are massive, reports association chairman Christian Rester.
Freising - Usually there are an average of 300 active people in the climbing center on the Seilerbrückl every day. They occupy the walls, study the possible routes to get to the top, exercise in the fitness room. But at the moment you could hear a pin drop in the climbing and bouldering hall of DAV Freising. The entire operation is closed due to the Corona crisis. The consequences are massive, says chairman Christian Rester in the FT interview - and not just from a sporting perspective.
"We all have to go through now"
Mr. Rester, how hard is the Corona crisis affecting the Freising Alpine Club?
Christian Rester: It hits us extremely hard. First of all in the field of competitive sports, of course, our people have no opportunity to train. The competitions are also canceled. Then there is the social component: A normal club life is currently out of the question. Children and young people in particular suffer from the fact that they cannot meet in the hall. But it is an exceptional situation - we all have to go through it now.
To what extent has Corona already left its mark in economic terms?
Christian Rester (56): "Fortunately, we saved money in the past."
The effects are already huge. The climbing center is professionally designed - there are around 25 employees. They are not whole jobs, but rather mini jobs. But we said that we would continue to pay wages for now. The student who works for us in any area has to shell out the rent for his room and make a living.
Closure is used for general cleaning
Is there a question of introducing short-time work?
Theoretically, this would be possible if the crisis extended into May or June. If the worst comes to the worst, we will have one-on-one discussions with our employees and try to find an individual solution for everyone.
Is there any work at the moment?
We use the closure of the center to re-screw the routes and to clean the handles - this is basically a general cleaning. Our employees can do that in small groups. In addition, the floor in the entrance and bistro area is being newly laid.
"Fortunately we saved money"
Can you already quantify the economic damage caused by the Corona crisis?
The climbing hall has been closed since mid-March, i.e. for about two and a half weeks. I think that by the end of the Easter vacation we will have reached a minus of 45,000 to 50,000 euros. This sum mainly results from the lack of entry income and from current expenses such as salaries.
How can the DAV Freising cover the running fixed costs?
Fortunately, we have saved money in the past - for example for the expansion of the climbing center and the outdoor area. I would prefer if we could use the funds for such measures. But there is no other way, we have to attack the reserves. That sets us back years.
The reserves will eventually be used up. When does it become really critical?
I don't want to think about it. Operation should continue in 2020. If we cannot open the hall again in autumn, it will be difficult. Because then the liquidity is no longer available.
Competitions have not yet had to be canceled
You mentioned an expansion of the climbing center. What are the specific plans?
We thought about the club last year: what's missing? What is too small The bouldering area is definitely too small, which is a discipline that is booming right now. We then discussed scenarios with the city and the mayor, whether a boulder extension with a pavilion-like interior can be realized in the north. Of course, everything now depends on how the corona situation develops.
The business is currently at a standstill. What do you currently have to do in your role as chairman?
I'm not running out of work. Something is always left behind in day-to-day business, and I also see how things go in the hall. And of course I have many conversations with our treasurer and the manager about the current situation. Overall, life in the office continues. Now I have to cancel the Edelweiss celebration, which should have taken place in early May.
Have you had to cancel competitions in Freising?
No. Fortunately, we hadn't planned much this year. The next competition that we are organizing is at the beginning of October a run as part of the Soby Cup, in which the young climbers from the southeastern part of Bavaria measure themselves. We want to stick to this date.
"People show understanding"
You and your family are very athletic yourself. How do you keep fit?
We run a lot in the Wippenhauser forest. We also have a small climbing wall on the attic where we can practice climbing-specific fitness. It works - but of course it's not the same.
How did the members react? Are there any first exits because of the corona crisis?
No, I haven't heard anything yet. People understand that we can't offer anything right now - except yoga on Skype. It is not our fault, the other halls or gyms are also closed. Now it is all about public health. Sport is the most beautiful thing in the world - but only a marginal phenomenon in times of crisis like this.
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