Future of the leisure arena in Sölden: new building or renovation?

Future of the leisure arena in Sölden: new building or renovation?

The future of the leisure arena in Sölden is on the brink! The municipality put a heated dispute over the need for a new building. Originally planned between 2025 and 2027 under the direction of Ötztal Tourismus, it is now heavily discussed whether the existing arena should not be renovated. The explosive? A critical article in the community newspaper that questioned the construction plans and questioned the need for a new building.

The leisure arena, celebrated for a long time as the "showpiece" of the community, offers an extensive range of leisure activities, including an indoor pool, sauna and indoor sports. But the building is getting old and urgently needs a refreshment. Ötztal Tourismus and the municipality decided against a renovation and instead favored a new building, which is now encountering resistance. In the said article, concerns were expressed whether the needs of the locals are sufficiently taken into account, in particular the concern for the loss of important rooms such as the tennis hall and the indoor soccer field.

criticism and frustration: tensions in the community

Dominik Linser, head of the municipality and destination from Ötztal Tourismus, reacted frustrated to the publication of the article. He even considers "throwing everything down" because the impression arose, the municipality rejects the new building. "My credibility was questioned," complains Linser, who emphasizes that time is urging: "The leisure arena can only be kept until April 2026." A final decision about the future of the arena is on Wednesday, November 13th.