Winter ice rink in front of the Sylt Rathaus: Chance or waste of money?

Winter ice rink in front of the Sylt Rathaus: Chance or waste of money?

Sylt, Deutschland - The municipality of Sylt plans a wintry world of experience that is equally suitable for locals and tourists. In front of the town hall, an approximately 300 square meter ice rink and an illuminated ice skating path is to be built. This initiative is accompanied by the gastronomy to create an inviting winter atmosphere. The implementation of the project is estimated at the expense of 100,000 euros, which the taxpayers are to be borne. On May 22nd, the municipal council should vote on the application. Before this vote, however, the budget situation, approval situation and the financing model must be examined in detail.

The organizer expects a municipal subsidy of 100,000 euros net. Critical voices from the committee express concerns about the financial means, especially with regard to the social area. Nevertheless, some representatives see the ice rink as a valuable opportunity for the island capital. The ideas of ideas refer to the social added value of the project and the goal of promoting encounters between tourists and locals in the dark season. A model for this project is the ice rink in Scharbeutz.

criticism and possible support

ole König, an entrepreneur, plans to invest 80,000 euros from their own funds in the project. Despite the majority to support the project, there are doubts. In particular, representatives such as Ulrike Körbs from the Insulans and Peter Marnitz from the SPD express concerns about the use of scarce resources. The Greens demand more extensive information on the participation conditions and a clear upper cost limit. Proponents of the ice rink, however, argue that it can contribute to upgrading the city center and creating new offers outside of the season.

The event dates have already been set and range from November 28, 2025 to January 2, 2026. This would be the first ice rink on Sylt since 2007, which also makes the project important.

administrative structure under change

But the new model is not the only upcoming step: the application for implementation is directed to the Interior Ministry of Schleswig-Holstein, while the administration is commissioned to prepare the restructuring process. A residents' assembly, which the citizens are to inform about the new administrative model, is planned for the end of the first quarter of 2025. Regardless of the changes, the mayor election remains as planned on March 16, 2025 after an application for shift was rejected. The final list of candidates is determined after January 24, 2025 after the municipal election committee has decided on the election proposals.