In Ottobrunn, the ice machine in the ice rink at the Haidgraben has been circling leisurely since October, preparing the surface for the cracks on runners. And it is used several times a day, because not only do the ice hockey players, figure skaters and speed skaters train here for the league and their competitions, but also schoolchildren from the surrounding schools use the only ice rink in the district of Munich, as do recreational athletes for public runs . And the latter in particular is enjoying such great popularity this winter that the employees at the ticket office have often had to stop admissions.
Despite the energy crisis, the ice machine in the Ottobrunn ice stadium has a lot to do this winter.
(Photo: Claus Schunk)
These days, when the head of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, provides information on the filling levels of the gas storage facilities in Germany and the reduction in energy consumption almost every day, the Ottobrunn Ice Stadium is running at full capacity. And it should stay that way throughout the winter. “We are very happy that the community has signaled that we can leave the stadium open,” says Michael Guggenhuber, chairman of the ice and roller sports club Ottobrunn, who is only called Ersco. “And we hope that it stays that way and that we can get through the winter. We’re relying on the gas and electricity price brakes, which will certainly help.”
In Munich, the only speed skating rink will remain closed this winter
The fact that there is currently a backlog at the stadium entrance during the public run is not only due to the fact that pure pleasure on the ice is possible again after the restrictions imposed by the Corona regulations; more people are drawn from Munich to ice skating in Ottobrunn than ever before – which is mainly due to the fact that the offers in the city have been severely restricted or even completely suspended. Munich’s only high-speed railway in the Ostpark closed the city completely this winter to save energy. The ice machine is on strike in the Prinzregentenstadion, and the Munich-West ice skating center in Pasing is closed to the public.
And so the interest of the people of Munich often shifts to the district: the outing in the country turns into a slide on ice. “There is a lot more going on in the public run than usual,” says Ersco boss Guggenhuber. “And there are a lot of Munich players who switch to us, we notice that very clearly.” But even so, the interest in the Ottobrunn ice stadium is unbroken and all times are well received.
But that also reveals a basic problem: The capacities at Ottobrunner Haidgraben are far from sufficient to be able to cover the demand. In the past year alone, reports Ersco board member Guggenhuber, the club had to turn away more than 60 children across all divisions who wanted to start ice hockey, figure skating or speed skating. “We’re not talking about needing a roof or new floodlights,” said the club boss. “Actually, we need a second ice surface.” For club, school and leisure sports. “We see it as a public order, we’re not just there for ourselves as an association,” says Guggenhuber.