City council approves energy-efficient and safety-related modernization – year-round use for children and young people planned
The Baas Hall in Darmstadt's Martinsviertel district is to undergo comprehensive renovation and be available for year-round use in open youth work programs. The Darmstadt City Council has acknowledged and approved a corresponding proposal from the operating committee of the municipal real estate management company, IDA.
The energy-efficient and safety-related renovation aims to modernize and ensure the long-term viability of the site at Pankratiusstraße 35. The "SportKlub Martinsviertel," run by the youth welfare organization Netzwerk ROPE eV, will particularly benefit from this.
Space for sport, exercise and socializing
The Baas Hall is a former production hall of the company BAAS-Aufzüge. The ROPE network offers a city-wide program there for young people from Darmstadt, focusing on sports, exercise and nutrition.
Due to its size, the hall is particularly suitable for movement-oriented and space-intensive activities. At the same time, it serves as a meeting place for encounters and community activities and enables the development of further programs for children and young people.
“Especially in a densely built-up inner-city district like the Martinsviertel, freely accessible spaces for children and young people are of particular importance. They create places for movement, encounters and communal experiences in the immediate living environment of young people,” explain Mayor Barbara Akdeniz and City Treasurer André Schellenberg.
Akdeniz described the decision as "very good news for children and young people in Darmstadt." The renovation will not only preserve a building, but also further develop an important social and educational center. "This is an investment in participation, equal opportunities, and future-oriented work with children and young people," the mayor said.
Thermal insulation, sports flooring and barrier-free access
Several structural improvements are planned as part of the renovation. Suitable thermal insulation will ensure that the Baas Hall can be used year-round in the future. A kitchen and a resilient sports floor are also planned.
In addition, barrier-free access will be created and the sanitary facilities will be modernized.
As the next planning step, Schellenberg announces a structural and energy efficiency review of the building envelope, as well as the awarding of further planning services. This will also include an investigation into potential energy savings through the preservation of existing building components.
Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2028
However, it will still be some time before the actual construction work begins. According to current plans, the renovation is scheduled to start in July 2028. The city expects the work to take between one and a half and two years.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
