Stadthalle: City proposes refurbishment of the technical facilities within the next few years
Securing event operations has priority over expansion into a congress centre
The administration is proposing to refurbish the technical facilities in the Stadthalle for around ten million euros by 2020. In addition, around two million euros could be channelled into upgrading measures within the building. The categorisation in the municipal budget for the coming years is to be decided in the course of the budget consultations.
As the technical systems of the Stadthalle are the necessary lifelines of the popular event venue, this investment is a priority from the point of view of the administration. The refurbishment of the Stadthalle's heating and ventilation system (HLS) is a fundamental prerequisite for event operations in the Stadthalle. The Stadthalle's technical systems were built between 1970 and 1974 and are therefore worn out. A failure of the system could mean the closure or partial closure of the Stadthalle for events.
It was established back in 2007 that the HVAC systems needed to be replaced. At that time, however, investments in fire protection and stage technology were a higher priority. The Stadthalle's complex HVAC system consists of 35 ventilation and air conditioning systems, housed in two ventilation centres in the basement of the building, as well as around 25,000 cubic metres of ductwork with a total length of 9.3 kilometres. In addition, fire protection and soundproofing systems as well as the electrical and building automation systems need to be replaced. The renovation of the facilities could cost around ten million euros and extend over several years, as it could only take place in the summer months when fewer events are organised. Following the renovation, air hygiene and fire protection will be modernised and operating and maintenance costs will be reduced.
A final decision as to whether and, if so, when the City of Chemnitz will be able to finance a possible congress extension and will want to do so within the city's overall budget will probably have to be made in the next medium-term financial plan, which runs until 2020. To this end, it will be necessary to determine the expenditure required to establish an economically viable market position with an expanded Chemnitz congress centre in a challenging competitive environment of already established providers at local, regional and national level or exceptional event venues.
If the technical facilities are refurbished and the centre is expanded into a congress centre, the total investment costs would be around 30 to 32 million euros.
Background
C³ Chemnitzer Veranstaltungszentren GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the City of Chemnitz with around 50 permanent employees. The company owns three venues: Messe Chemnitz, Stadthalle Chemnitz and Wasserschloß Klaffenbach. With its three venues, C³ Chemnitzer Veranstaltungszentren GmbH offers numerous possibilities for events of all kinds from 100 to 12,500 people.
Every year, around 750 events with more than 500,000 visitors take place in the entire organisation. Of these, around 250,000 visitors and more than 300 events take place in the Chemnitz Stadthalle.