Events and locations hosting carnivals and cultural celebrations may find themselves without a space to continue their activities.
In the heart of Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, the city administration is re-evaluating the safety and usage of assembly sites for external events, following concerns about safety standards and potential costs.
The estimated cost of renting or purchasing air-supported structures to accommodate events is approximately 150,000 euros, as per the administration's estimates. This move could impact a multitude of events, including carnival sessions, parties, series like "Cabaret in IGP," and dozens of other events.
The city council is set to discuss the administration's mandate to re-examine the closure of approved assembly sites for external users. The city is recommending the non-use of both approved and unapproved assembly sites for external events due to safety concerns, with external events facing "super strict" safety standards without any room for interpretation.
However, sports clubs using school sports halls in the afternoons and evenings are not affected by these changes.
Common safety issues in school assembly facilities nationwide include overcrowding and capacity limits, lack of emergency evacuation planning, insufficient surveillance and monitoring, structural and facility maintenance issues, and threats of violence or disruptions.
Potential solutions to address these issues include capacity management, clear emergency protocols, enhanced surveillance and access control, facility upgrades, and training and communication. The adoption of comprehensive threat assessment frameworks and enhanced communication protocols could also improve overall safety in these spaces.
While specific details about Bergisch Gladbach's school assembly facility safety are not publicly available, the city follows strict safety regulations under German state education and building laws. Local school authorities may conduct periodic risk assessments and implement tailored safety plans suited to their facilities.
The city administration is proposing a three-step solution: re-examining the need for closure of approved sites, limiting events at non-approval-required sites, and renting or purchasing air-supported structures for events. Assembly facilities under consideration include sports halls and auditoriums of IGP, school centers Kleefeld and Herkenrath, and many other schools.
No immediate closure of the halls is planned, according to the responsible department head Thore Eggert. Associations in carnival and culture have been invited to a meeting on July 11 to discuss the situation. The city council will discuss the recommendation during a debate on Thursday.
The long-term plan is to renovate or rebuild assembly sites together with the respective schools, but this process may take decades. The city has identified essential defects in safety installations in all tested assembly sites, including auditoriums, foyers, and other rooms. The administration does not plan for a short-term rectification of defects due to the urgency of school renovation funds and the interconnectedness of electrical installations.
It is essential to note that school events, including cultural events and school community celebrations, are not affected by these changes. For the most precise and up-to-date information, contacting local educational authorities or Bergisch Gladbach’s school administration directly would be beneficial.
Despite the city administration's proposed changes to external event locations due to safety concerns, the focus on education and self-development persists. For instance, the city plans to renovate or rebuild assembly sites together with schools, demonstrating a commitment to student comfort and learning. Additionally, lifestyle events such as carnival sessions and parties may be impacted, but school events like cultural events and community celebrations remain unaffected.
