SPD calls for a new skater area for Gemünden

The SPD would like a new skater place in Gemünden. She has already raised the subject several times in the city council. “With the start of construction to upgrade the Main Bridge four years ago, the skater area, an important meeting point for sporting leisure activities for young people from Gemünden and the region, ceased to exist”, it says in a new proposal from the city council group.

Suggestion: The site of the old sewage treatment plant as a location for a skate park

The Social Democrats have already set their sights on a location for the project, namely the site of the old sewage treatment plant. For this, a usage agreement would have to be obtained with the municipal company of Stadtwerke. The SPD parliamentary group writes that the location is “ideal” because it is close to the city and can be easily reached by bike or on foot. In addition, because of the proximity to the railway, there should be no complaints about noise pollution at this location.

From the SPD’s point of view, this is not a new facility, but a replacement for the space that has been lost due to the construction of the bridge. The parliamentary group requests “a site inspection, consultation and decision-making with the aim of examining the realization of subsidy possibilities and considering an appropriate amount in the upcoming budget discussions”.

Do young people in Gemünden want a skate area at all?

Basically, he was in favor of a new skater area, emphasized Mayor Jürgen Lippert (Alliance for Citizenship) when asked by this editorial team. However, he would also like “proof of the need” for such a space. After all, a skate field could cost “a fair amount of money”. It would be good to sit down at a table with young people in advance and let them participate, says Lippert. It should not only be clarified whether a new skate area is desired at all, but also how such a facility should be designed. One must build the skate field “in the interests of the youngsters”. It is of no use if, for example, as “well over 50 years old” he thinks up what the system should look like.

Monika Poracky (SPD) is convinced that a new skater place is wanted. She admits that it is difficult to get in touch with young people. But that is also due to the fact that the city no longer has any town youth care facilities. Nevertheless, she herself was repeatedly approached by young people who had to make the journey to Karlstadt, Zellingen or Würzburg because they had no opportunity to go skateboarding in Gemünden.

In addition, her party started a survey on the Internet platform Facebook some time ago, reports Poracky. Of over 150 participants, around 80 percent would have voted for a skate pitch. And at a personal meeting with around 20 young people in October, the SPD also received positive feedback for the project.

Lippert: Think about other options for using the site

As far as the location is concerned, Mayor Lippert considers the proposed site of the former sewage treatment plant to be quite suitable. The only question that arises is whether there aren’t other ideas about how to use the space. After all, not that much free space is available in the inner city area. Perhaps there are other options that matter to the city. The city council then has to weigh that up. Lippert also emphasizes that he is not necessarily looking for an alternative use: “If we can’t think of anything else, I don’t see a problem.” Concrete other options for the site are not yet in his head, the mayor said.

However, Lippert made it clear that it was still an area owned by the municipal company. This is a separate legal entity that has to decide for itself whether it continues to need the area for its own purposes. So when it comes to skating there are still some unanswered questions. So far, the SPD application has not yet been dealt with in the city council. The next meeting of the panel is on Monday 23 November.

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