For several years, teh HSB roller sports department has been without a permanent training facility. The demolition of the Eva site hall (previously used as youth homes) in 2022 left the athletes scrambling for practice spaces. Temporarily, they utilized the badminton courts at the Pauls sports club in Mergelstetten. “We appreciated the opportunity, even though the setup wasn’t perfect,” says Stephanie Hein, the coach of the accomplished roller skaters. However, with ongoing renovations at the Pauls club, this temporary arrangement has also come to an end.
This leaves the HSB and the roller sports department grappling with the same pressing question: Where can they secure a suitable training space? Discussions about this issue began as early as 2023, with a potential site near the tennis facilities on Rauhbuch being considered. A single-court tennis hall there had recently been demolished due to disrepair, and plans were proposed to construct a new “cold hall” on the vacant land. This facility would lack heating but include essential amenities like sanitary facilities.
Coach Hein Urges for a Timely Resolution
Despite these plans, no progress has been made. “I’ve repeatedly emphasized the urgency of finding a solution,” Hein states.While the city and HSB have shown willingness to assist, options like the Mittelrain gymnasium have fallen through due to renovation delays. Currently, the athletes are training in various locations, including the east school gym.
“I understand that the HSB can’t magically create new halls, especially with the Karl-Rau-Halle closed for renovations,” Hein acknowledges. “But we’re eager to find a permanent home for our training.”
There are signs of progress, though. “The HSB is actively working on it, and we’re confident about finding a good interim solution,” Hein adds.While she refrains from sharing specifics, she remains hopeful that a viable training space will be secured soon.
collaborative Efforts Across HSB Departments
“We’re still evaluating options, but no final decisions have been made,” says Sylvia Ritz, HSB’s managing director. The vacant space near the Rauhbuch tennis facilities remains a key consideration.“All departments based there, including baseball and tennis, are part of the discussions.We’re aiming for a solution that benefits everyone,” Ritz explains.
Talks are also underway with the city of Heidenheim and the WLSB regarding potential funding. “Our initial plan didn’t work out, so we’re exploring other possibilities,” Ritz notes. She anticipates a more concrete decision by mid-February.
Our initial plan didn’t work out, so we’re exploring other possibilities.
Sylvia RitzManaging Director of the HSB
What exactly do roller skaters need for optimal training? “to host championships, we require a space measuring 40 by 20 meters,” explains coach Stephanie Hein. The flooring is critical—it must not be springy. Surfaces like coated concrete or sports parquet are ideal.“While such facilities would be perfect, we’ve learned to adapt to less-than-ideal conditions,” Hein admits. The department currently trains 41 members, ranging from ages five to 21.
Balancing Multiple Interests in One Location
Finding a suitable location is further complex by the needs of other HSB departments. Contrary to rumors, Erwin Bachmann, one of the department heads, clarifies that the tennis department has no interest in building a new clubhouse on the Rauhbuch site. However, the main club had considered creating a shared facility for baseball, tennis, and roller sports. “From our viewpoint, a shared clubhouse isn’t necessary,” Bachmann states.
Other departments are also part of the equation. The HSB is seeking training spaces for its emerging American football team, though using the baseball practice field on Rauhbuch was ruled out. Additionally, the hockey team, currently training on the Reuten islands, may soon need a new home. Balancing these diverse needs is no small task, and the future of the roller sports department remains uncertain.
A Legacy of Persistence
The HSB roller sports department boasts a rich history. In the 1950s, the athletes gained recognition for their performances, even touring the USA with accomplished shows. Over the decades, the roller skaters have consistently excelled in their sport.
For years, they trained in a repurposed riding arena on Schlossberg, near today’s Voith Arena.In 2009, the roller sports hall was demolished to make way for parking spaces for the new football arena, forcing the department to relocate to the Eva sports hall. Since its demolition in 2022, the roller skaters have been without a permanent home, continuing their search for a suitable training facility.
As a highly professional sports moderator wiht extensive experience in moderating and debating, I will address the pressing issue faced by the HSB roller sports department regarding their lack of a permanent training facility. This situation highlights the challenges of balancing infrastructure needs with the demands of athletes and the broader sports community. Drawing on the provided information, I will analyze the current state of affairs, the efforts being made, and potential solutions, while incorporating insights from the web search results on effective moderation.
### The Challenge: A Lack of Permanent Training Facilities
For several years, the HSB roller sports department has struggled to secure a permanent training facility. The demolition of the Eva site hall in 2022 exacerbated this issue, forcing athletes to rely on temporary arrangements, such as the badminton courts at the Pauls sports club in Mergelstetten. While this setup was appreciated, it was far from ideal.With ongoing renovations at the Pauls club, even this temporary solution has come to an end, leaving the athletes in a precarious position.
### Proposed solutions and Delays
Discussions about securing a new training space began as early as 2023, with a potential site near the Rauhbuch tennis facilities being considered. Plans were proposed to construct a “cold hall”—a facility without heating but equipped with essential amenities like sanitary facilities. However, despite these plans, no notable progress has been made. Coach Stephanie Hein has repeatedly emphasized the urgency of finding a solution, acknowledging the challenges posed by renovation delays at othre facilities, such as the mittelrain gymnasium and the Karl-Rau-Halle.
### collaborative Efforts and Hope for the Future
despite the setbacks, ther are signs of progress. The HSB is actively working on finding an interim solution, and collaborative efforts are underway across various departments, including baseball and tennis. Sylvia Ritz, HSB’s managing director, highlights the importance of finding a solution that benefits all parties involved. Talks with the city of Heidenheim and the WLSB are also ongoing,indicating a multi-stakeholder approach to resolving the issue.
### Insights from Effective Moderation Practices
In addressing this issue, it is crucial to adopt the principles of effective moderation. As highlighted in the web search results,a good moderator focuses on the players—in this case,the athletes—and ensures that their needs are prioritized [[1]]. Readiness is also key; understanding the background and urgency of the situation allows for more informed and effective decision-making [[3]]. Additionally, fostering collaboration across departments and stakeholders, as the HSB is doing, aligns with the professional competencies demonstrated by organizations like the International Moderators’ Association [[2]].
### Conclusion
The HSB roller sports department’s struggle to secure a permanent training facility is a complex issue that requires timely and collaborative solutions. While delays and challenges persist, the active efforts of the HSB, Coach Hein, and other stakeholders offer hope for a resolution. By prioritizing the needs of the athletes and fostering collaboration, a viable solution can be found. As a moderator, I would emphasize the importance of maintaining focus on the athletes, ensuring their voices are heard, and working diligently to secure a training space that supports their growth and success.
Let us remain hopeful and proactive in addressing this issue, ensuring that the roller sports department can continue to thrive and achieve excellence.
