Ice rinks in the north reopen in many places
In many municipalities, ice rinks are simply part of the winter months - either as an additional attraction at the Christmas market or on an extra surface. Last year, many places did not set up ice rinks or experimented with plastic due to the energy crisis. This year, some municipalities are returning to real ice on their ice rinks in the coming weeks, for example Grömitz and Scharbeutz.
Cities such as Kiel, Elmshorn and Flensburg are also relying on real ice for their large ice rinks. However, the issues of energy and climate change are still being considered: the new edition of the popular ice rink was launched with the aim of saving more than 30 percent energy compared to the last comparable season in 2019/2020, said a spokeswoman for Kiel Marketing. Reusable Styrodur is laid under the ice surface as an insulating layer. "This prevents the cold from "migrating" downwards and eliminates the need for cost-intensive cooling," said the spokesperson. In addition, ice temperature sensors ensure that the units only cool when necessary. Green electricity is also used exclusively.
In Flensburg, the energy for the approximately 1400 square meter ice rink will also come from renewable energies. According to the city marketing department, Elmshorn is also keeping an eye on its energy consumption: Thanks to new technology and other measures, the aim here is to reduce consumption by 30 percent compared to previous years.
Elsewhere, alternatives to ice are still being used: in Neumünster, for example, where an ice rink is set up at the Christmas market, a conscious decision was made to use a high-quality plastic ice rink "for reasons of sustainability and climate protection", according to a city spokesperson. "This will save around 20,000 euros in electricity costs."
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck decided against an ice rink altogether this year "after thorough investigations", according to a city spokesperson. The reasons given were the goal of minimizing CO2 emissions through sustainable action at all levels, the ongoing energy crisis and negative experience reports on artificial ice rinks. As a result, Stadtwerke Lübeck did not consider sponsoring the ice rink again. However, the people of Lübeck do not have to do without ice fun altogether: The operator of a large shopping center has set up a covered ice rink.
And St. Peter Ording doesn't want to miss out on the ice feeling altogether either: although ice skating is not possible in the North Sea town, two synthetic curling rinks will be set up at the Christmas market there, according to the local tourist office.
People who enjoy leisure time during the winter can visit the ice rinks in Grömitz and Scharbeutz, which are returning to real ice this year. Families in Flensburg can skate on an eco-friendly ice rink powered by renewable energies.
Source: www.dpa.com
