Regatta grandstand at Baldeneysee – Redesign

On July 24, 2024, the time had come: the demolition of the Regatta grandstand at Baldeneysee The project began with setting up the construction site and dismantling existing structures. Back in 2019, the city of Essen had already issued a tender for the redesign of the regatta grandstand, regatta tower, and regatta parking lot. Regattahaus The planning competition "Redesign of the Regatta Area at Baldeneysee Essen" was launched, along with the riverbank area at the edge of the regatta course. The winning designs were exhibited at Regattahaus at the time, and the winning design was slated for implementation. Five years later, demolition of the over sixty-year-old regatta grandstand has now begun. The City of Essen has issued a press release detailing how the work will proceed, the specific plans, and the resulting restrictions for visitors to Baldeneysee, which Baldeneysee.Ruhr is reporting on here.

According to a press release from the city of Essen, the old grandstand is to be replaced by a modern, functional building. The new grandstand will be approximately 135 meters long and offer visitors to the Baldeneysees race a platform as well as 1,700 seats and standing places. So far, so similar in design. At the rear, there will be functional rooms and storage halls for the canoe, rowing, and... Canoe polo clubs The new grandstand will also include event spaces and public restrooms. A platform lift will make the new platform accessible to everyone, ensuring future access for all. Completion of the new grandstand is planned for spring 2026, with the aim of it being ready for use in time for the 2026 regatta and event season. However, this timeline depends on various factors, such as weather conditions, material availability, and smooth supply chain operations. The estimated cost of the renovation is approximately €11 million (gross).

In recent days, all above-ground structures, such as seats, railings, and electrical installations of the grandstand, have been removed. On July 26, 2024, excavators arrived and began removing the existing mound of earth. This phase of the work is expected to take several weeks. Excavators and wheel loaders are being used to remove the soil layer by layer. Particular attention will be paid to the proper disposal of pollutants that have accumulated over the years, such as old paint and insulation resulting from previous repairs. This includes potentially contaminated materials like old paint, insulation, and soil. Prior to this, exploratory drilling was carried out on the construction site, revealing tar-like pollutants in the building materials, which must be removed and sorted during the work.

As reported by WDR, citing the regional association, its efforts to curb the growth of Elodea nuttalli using other methods have met with little success. Herbivorous fish, water edges, and removal with water pressure have been tested as part of a research project. Although the presence of this waterweed indicates good water quality and is generally considered a positive sign, its rapid spread and growth of up to 20 centimeters per day to the water's surface pose a danger to water sports enthusiasts.

To minimize the environmental impact, dust suppression measures, such as irrigation, will be implemented. A key challenge will be ensuring that none of the dust enters the Baldeneysee mine or the groundwater. How this will be prevented is currently unknown. Simultaneously, the excavated material will undergo a thorough analysis and sorting process. Uncontaminated excavated soil will be reused – where possible – for other construction projects or landscaping. Contaminated material, on the other hand, will be professionally separated and disposed of in accordance with applicable environmental regulations. Strict safety and environmental protection measures will be in place throughout the entire dismantling process.

It is expected that pedestrians and athletes will be able to use the waterfront promenade in the area of the regatta grandstand without restrictions until October 2024. This also applies to the passenger ships Boats will continue to dock at the regatta tower. From October of this year, the waterfront promenade will likely be closed to pedestrians, and an alternative route will be established. This route will run behind the grandstand and the construction site, allowing pedestrians to circumnavigate the area. The path will lead from the regatta tower in a curve around the construction site and rejoin the existing path at Regattahaus. Additionally, the first row of parking spaces will be closed. These measures are essential for safety reasons and to ensure the efficient execution of the construction work. The duration of the closure depends on the progress of the work and cannot be predicted at this time.

For cyclists, Cyclists using the cycle path on Freiherr-vom-Stein-Straße will face the installation of a barrier in the form of an illuminated chicane made of barrier elements at the entrance to the parking lot by the regatta grandstand in the coming weeks. This is intended to slow down bicycle traffic and mitigate potential hazards associated with construction vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot. As part of the grandstand renovation, the five disabled parking spaces currently located in the first row by the regatta tower will be relocated. The bus parking spaces, however, will remain unaffected by the construction work.

The demolition and reconstruction of the grandstand is a separate project, but it is part of a broader development plan for the regatta area. A council resolution from November 2022 stipulates that, concurrently with the grandstand renovation, a comprehensive redesign of the area around the regatta tower and the Regattahaus building should be examined. This includes an alternative access route and the redesign of the regatta parking lot by constructing a parking garage. Furthermore, it involves expanding the functionality of the Regattahaus building and planning a new center to promote elite sports as an Olympic training base.

These projects, beyond the grandstand renovation, are currently still in the concept phase. In the coming months, they will undergo a feasibility study and be optimized as needed. The aim is to explore ways to sustainably enhance the entire regatta area at Baldeneysee as part of the grandstand renovation. This will take into account the needs of both elite athletes and the general public. Specific timelines and costs for these further projects are not yet available. These will be developed in close consultation with all stakeholders in the near future. Baldeneysee.Ruhr will keep you updated.