Krefeld. The new Rheinlandhallen should be much more than the future home of Krefeld’s ice sports
The new Rheinlandhallen should be much more than the future home of Krefeld’s ice sports. In addition to two ice rinks, the building planned on Westparkstraße includes a triple gymnasium, a multi-storey car park and an outdoor exercise park for recreational athletes. In the immediate vicinity, where the old ice rinks still stand, a center for the elderly, a day care center and modern apartments are also being built. Mayor Frank Meyer summed up the multiple effects of the planned construction project: “This is an exciting project for the Westpark district, because it involves a significant urban development upgrade,” emphasizes the mayor. “In addition, with the new Rheinlandhallen we are strengthening the traditional ice hockey location of Krefeld and at the same time closing a gap in school sports with the gym. In the end, the project will be significantly cheaper than if we build everything individually.”
According to the experts, there is no alternative to demolition
The old ice rinks on Westparkstrasse are in a very poor condition, both technically and structurally. According to the experts, there is no alternative to demolition. The city now wants to build the new ice rinks with the help of an investor who is also to implement the neighboring construction projects. “I’m glad that the council gave us the task of developing a solution for the future,” says Frank Meyer. “The current planning provides the basis for a city that is enthusiastic about ice sports to continue its almost 90-year tradition. Anyone who experienced the penguin play-offs live here a few months ago knows that ice sports have an emotional and identity-forming meaning for Krefeld.”
The city council will vote on the overall package at its meeting on June 20th
The plans focus on two areas on Westparkstrasse. One, the former Kerrygold property, already belongs to the investor. He wants to build the double ice rink there with a gym, changing rooms, sanitary facilities, fitness room, offices, the outdoor exercise park and the multi-storey car park adjacent to De-Greiff-Strasse. The city is paying total project costs of around 90.7 million euros for this. The other area, on which the current ice rinks are located and which belongs to the city, is being sold to the investor at the same time in order to realize a senior center, a day care center and residential buildings there. The city council will vote on the overall package at its meeting on June 20th.
The thanks of the city director went explicitly to the “Krefeld ice sports family” and the city sports association
The privately built ice rinks at this location meet all the criteria formulated by the council in May 2022, including proximity to the Yayla Arena, two ice rinks according to DIN standards, a grandstand for 1000 spectators and modern technology and equipment for athletes and visitor. “If you want ice sports in Krefeld to have a future, then that’s the way to go,” emphasizes city director Markus Schön, who is involved in the project in a double function as head of sports and school. “The ice surfaces can be used for competitive, popular, club and school sports, and we can also offer more flexibility with public times. Day care centers and schools can and should go even more on the ice. In addition, there is the triple gym, which we urgently need at this point.” The city director thanked the “Krefeld ice sports family” and the city sports association for their close cooperation during the planning: “Everyone supports this in solidarity and is ready to grit their teeth during the construction phase,” says Markus Schön.
New opportunities on a previously brownfield site
Marcus Beyer, Head of Construction and Planning, also promotes the “excellent solution”. He sees the new Rheinlandhalle as an “urban counterpart” to the Yayla Arena on the opposite side. “There are completely new opportunities here on what was previously a wasteland and also where the unsightly old ice rinks are currently located,” says Marcus Beyer. He praises the cooperation with the investor and emphasizes the “total package” that results from the land exchange. As Rachid Jaghou, Head of Central Building Management, emphasizes, the acquisition of the privately built hall by the city is also the best solution from an economic point of view. “The original idea of a long-term lease has become significantly less favorable due to the current interest rate situation,” explains the construction specialist.
Between the two fields is a service block with changing rooms and sanitary facilities
If the council agrees to the proposed planning, the disclosure for the development plan no. 851 can take place after the summer holidays, so that the building permit could be available by the end of 2024 at the latest. The building is scheduled for completion in July 2026. It is accessible via a ground-level foyer. From there, the two 26 by 60 meter ice rinks and the grandstand can be reached. Between the two fields is a service block with changing rooms and sanitary facilities. The triple gym has its own foyer and separate service rooms. The car park with around 470 parking spaces is an independent building adjacent to the ice rinks and is also available to other users of the area. The building is supplied with energy from combined heat and power generation and from photovoltaic systems on the roof. “This system produces so much electricity that not only the ice rinks but also the neighborhood benefits from it. In fact, an excess of energy is generated,” explains Rachid Jaghou.
Ice sports tradition could continue
With the new Rheinlandhallen, an almost 90-year ice sports tradition in Krefeld could be continued. The egg dealer Willi Münstermann, who already had cooling capacity, had the Hindenburg Stadium built in 1936, Krefeld’s first ice arena. In the early 1950s, ice hockey experienced its golden years – both Preussen Krefeld and the young guns of the KEV achieved the German championship. At that time the Rheinlandhalle and a little later the Werner-Rittberger-Halle were built. In 1955, Krefeld was even the venue for the Ice Hockey World Championship. Figure skating greats such as Ina Bauer or Werner Rittberger also had their home in Krefeld. In ice hockey, after numerous crises and setbacks, on April 21, 2003, the Krefeld Pinguinen won the championship again. They are currently playing in the second division and will be fighting for promotion back to the top division in the coming season.
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