Crisis time in Bremerhaven: Saving in sports at risk of clubs!

Crisis time in Bremerhaven: Saving in sports at risk of clubs!

Bremerhaven, Deutschland - In Bremerhaven, the sports communities face serious financial challenges. The city has a debt burden of a whopping 1.5 billion euros, and the economic framework conditions appear anything but rosy. Against this background, savings measures must be placed on the table in all areas, including in sports funding. Above all, the clubs Fischtown Penguins and Eisbären Bremerhaven are now the focus of the discussion, such as the Nordsee-Zeitung reported.

The funding for the two clubs was subjected to controversial cuts. While the polar bears can rely on sponsors and do not completely depend on the 800,000 euros in urban subsidies per year, the Situation for the penguins is alarming. Without a million euro subsidy, the second division team threatens bankruptcy. A clear balance between the support of top sports and the urgent social needs in the city seems almost impossible, especially since more than 16 million euros in a year -round minus are planned for 2014/2015.

risks for the community

A lack of financial aid not only would have devastating consequences for the affected clubs, but could also seriously damage the pride and image of the city of Bremerhaven. The penguins, who are causing a sensation in the Bundesliga and are considered nationwide as well as in the EU, are a sign of top sporting performance. The polar bears, on the other hand, do valuable work in promoting young talent and strengthening the emotional binding of citizens to sport.

However, it is feared that the polar bears, if the venues do not improve, have to fear that they will move to Bremen. The uncertain future of the clubs not only causes unrest among followers, but also makes local politics take notice. The Bremerhaven government coalition of the SPD, CDU and FDP has already made savings in many other areas that may have brought more damage than benefits.

a call to foresight

It is already loud that future austerity measures will be designed with a realistic view for the far -reaching consequences. The city must create the balancing act between household savings and positive urban development. Sport is not only part of cultural life, but also an economic factor. Many argue that the significant grants for top sports clubs are justified in the sense of location marketing and advertising for Bremerhaven, as the taz describes.

But there is also criticism of the lack of inclusion of the clubs in decisions. This could result in even major problems with sports funding in the future. And while the city is thinking about cuts, numerous studies and projects on sports development show similar to the German Sport University Cologne on how important sports clubs are as a social link in the community.

The future of the Bremerhaven sports landscape is on the brink. If the city does not reflect on time and develops a concept with foresight, part of its social background could be lost. The question that arises is: How does a city that even in the struggle for survival promotes the emotional bonds of its citizens to sport, without having to pace your own identity?