Building construction measures decided

The city council today approved a series of building construction measures:

Ratskeller: 1st construction phase imminent

The Ratskeller needs to be extensively refurbished. The last major refurbishment of the Ratskeller was in 1992, so that renovations to the building are urgently needed, particularly in the interests of fire safety. According to building inspectorate findings, the existing technical systems had only received temporary confirmations of effectiveness and operational safety during regular inspections, so that the urgent refurbishment now due was unavoidable. As it is impossible to carry out a fundamental refurbishment while the restaurant is still open, the Ratskeller will have to close its restaurant operations at the end of May for the duration of the construction work.

The refurbishment will be carried out in two construction phases, both due to the large scope of the work and in terms of funding. The first construction phase includes the fire protection upgrading for the entire building, the remaining work for draining and the covering of the courtyard in the area of the Ratskeller kitchen. The second construction phase includes the installation of new building services and the kitchen and refrigeration technology as well as vertical shaft renovations, structural upgrades and electrical installations.

The necessary state-of-the-art fire alarm system compensates for the numerous deviations from the statutory fire protection requirements that cannot be realised in this historic existing building. Much of the technology installed in 1992 has since been extended, converted or partially decommissioned. The existing old pipework and ventilation ducts represent a considerable fire load in some areas and must therefore be removed.
Moisture damage must be repaired on the outer wall facing the courtyard (joint between the council cellar kitchen and the underground extension with the adjoining rooms). The building's technical systems are outdated and worn and need to be replaced in the second construction phase for reasons of hygiene, energy efficiency and functionality.

During the planning phase, it became clear that the available budget of 1.789 was not sufficient for the complete refurbishment of both construction phases. The 1st construction phase is financially supported and could be categorised in the current 2019/2020 biennial budget. The budget funds required to finance the 2nd construction phase must be clarified as part of the 2019/2020 budget implementation or with the new 2021/2022 budget planning. However, the completion of both sections is a prerequisite for the Ratskeller to reopen.

Toilet facilities in the town hall

Due to rusted and damaged sewage pipes, odours are a recurring problem in the corridors of the town hall in the Weberflügel area. Renovation of the sewage network is urgently required, as the corrosion affects all sewage pipes and, in the worst case, leads to water damage in the building structure due to further pitting corrosion. When the ceilings were opened, it was discovered that they had been severely damaged by unauthorised breakthroughs and openings in the past, meaning that their load-bearing capacity and stability were no longer guaranteed. For this reason, a structural engineer closed off the sanitary areas. Significant deficiencies in fire protection also became apparent.

In order to restore the statics, a steel girder construction must be installed underneath the ceilings. The unauthorised openings must also be securely sealed. A suspended ceiling is also installed on the ground floor, as the ceiling to the mezzanine floor is not load-bearing. Due to the low height, a steel girder construction cannot be installed here. The water and waste water pipes in the toilets of the New Town Hall next to the stairwell will also be renovated. The electrical distribution will also be renewed. The current fire protection concept will be implemented during the refurbishment.

The toilet rooms will be fitted with new drywall and tiled. The existing sanitary ceramics will continue to be used (where possible). The two barrier-free WCs on the ground floor and 4th floor will be enlarged. The construction costs amount to around 901,400 euros. The refurbishment is scheduled to start at the beginning of July 2019. Completion is planned for mid-May 2020.

Speed skating rink

The first construction phase for the new speed skating rink at the city's ice sports centre will be carried out from March to October 2020. The costs for this amount to around 8.7 million euros. The reason for this is the current condition of the old facility, which does not meet the current training and competition conditions or the current state of the art. There is an urgent need for action in order to ensure the promotion of popular and competitive sport (national support programme) and the promotion of young talent. The track is now to be refurbished as a training facility suitable for competitions in line with current requirements. The track will also be covered.

It is not possible to realise the entire construction project in just one ice-skating season, from March to October. Two construction phases have therefore been organised. The first will take place next year, while the second will not be realised until new budget funds are made available. The division into sections allows the ice rink to be reopened after completion of the first construction phase.

In the first construction phase, the old speed skating rink will be demolished and the new one built. In addition, the indoor rinks and a service building will be rebuilt and the players' tunnel and collector corridor will be renovated. Temporary lighting and sound systems will be installed for the transition period to the second construction phase. The grandstand, the finish house and the changing room building will remain in place for the time being.
In the second phase, the existing grandstand, the finish house and the changing room building will be dismantled to make room for the new roofing. The foundations of the roofing and the roof construction as well as the new grandstand will then be erected.

Sports hall at Reichenhain primary school

The sports hall at Reichenhain primary school is being renovated at a cost of 1.54 million euros, including 1.125 million euros in funding. The single-field sports hall, which was built in the 1980s, is in a structurally poor condition and no longer meets today's requirements in terms of functionality and equipment. A comprehensive refurbishment is planned, including barrier-free access and energy and structural refurbishment of the building envelope (roof, façade, windows and doors). The interior will also be remodelled and extended, for example a disabled WC with a barrier-free shower will be installed on the ground floor. The WC will be equipped with an emergency call system for the disabled.

The interior work also includes the renewal of the heating, electrical, sanitary and ventilation installations, the installation of radiators and radiant ceiling panels. Furthermore, the building alarm system, safety lighting and escape route labelling will be renewed in accordance with the fire protection concept.
The new hall lighting will be controlled by a lighting control panel. The entrance to the sports hall will be fitted with a door intercom system. A photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof of the sports hall to support the electrical energy required by the sports hall and school building. The hall will be heated using radiant panels with integrated lighting. Radiators will be installed in the ancillary rooms such as the equipment store and technical room. The other rooms will have underfloor heating.

The sports floor of the hall and the bumper walls are excluded from the refurbishment. Both have already been renewed as part of an earlier construction project. The second structural escape route will also be retained.

Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2020 and end in November 2021.