“Beaver Circus Finally Gets New Home After Six-Year Search for Sponsors”

The “beaver” belongs to Arni. That should be clear to everyone who knows the youth circus. It was founded here almost 40 years ago and is now firmly rooted in the village. A good half of all children and young people in the association live in the village. So it’s a done deal that the circus stays here. The bad news that the club received in 2017 could not change that.

Back then, six years ago, the contract for the training barn, which they had rented for more than twenty years, was terminated for those responsible for the “Beaver”. The reason given was that the old building had to make way for a construction project. “We had to ask ourselves: what’s next?” says Daniel Walter, then deputy president and actuary of the “Biber”.

Finding a replacement proved difficult. The association recognized that the probably simplest solution would be if the circus could build a new, very own beaver den. So Walter is pleased that he can announce today: “The building application has been published and the financing is almost in place.”

There are still 40,000 francs missing

The association has defined and planned a new building project with the community. It is to be built as an extension to the works yard in Arni, and a building rights contract has been signed with the municipality for the area.

In the meantime, the association Jugendcircus Biber is no longer behind the construction project, but the newly founded Foundation Biberbau. Foundation President Walter explains: “We established the foundation mainly because of the tax exemption that goes with it. Because the foundation is non-profit, and the beaver building is available for use by all interested organizations,” he explains. For many companies and private individuals, this was a prerequisite for sponsoring the new building.

To date, over 700,000 francs have been raised. “It’s crazy,” says Walter happily. In addition, the foundation will take out a mortgage of CHF 250,000. Around 40,000 francs of donations are still missing to finance the construction costs of 990,000 francs. “Privately, you wouldn’t submit a planning application if you didn’t have the money in your sack,” says Walter. However, they would have to adhere to the deadlines from the building rights contract with the building application.

“We still have some time before we need the money. As soon as we have the approval, we will start with the construction. We can close the financial gap at the same time, I am convinced of that », he is in good spirits.

«We need a good height for the trapeze and trampoline»

The core of the beaver building is to be the large hall, which has an area of ​​95 square meters and is 7.5 meters high. This height is essential for practicing circus acts. “The circus has changed. In the past, most of the tricks took place on the floor. Today we need a good height for the trapeze, the cloth, the rings and the trampoline,” explains Walter.

A second training room, 56 square meters in size and 3.5 meters high, will be built adjacent to the hall. «Both rooms can be connected to each other. For example, spectators could be seated there and a performance could also be held in the Biberbau.”

On a second floor there is another separate room (60 square meters ^{and 3.5 meters high), toilets will be installed on both floors. “There will also be a shower and a cloakroom in the entrance area,” says Walter. The “Beaver” will be under construction for rent and will share the headquarters. “The rooms were divided up in such a way that they can be used parallel to the circus training and can also be rented out to others,” says Walter.}

The foundation itself is a non-profit organization. “But we have to be able to cover the maintenance costs. With other tenants, these costs can be spread over several shoulders.” Because for the maintenance itself there is also a mortgage of 250,000 francs. “It is clear that we have to reduce them as soon as possible. We hope that we will receive donations for this as well,” says Walter.