Culture in focus: Bad Pyrmont is planning new life for the spa theater!

Culture in focus: Bad Pyrmont is planning new life for the spa theater!

Bad Pyrmont is in the starting blocks for an exciting cultural future. At the fourth “CDU very close” event, which took place under the motto “Culture pays off – our location needs: stage and business”, it became clear that the importance of culture as a location factor is undisputed. On the initiative of CDU leader Anja Grages, the event took place in CDU councilor Stephan Pechmann's popular restaurant "Stephan's", where numerous interested parties gathered to discuss the city's cultural perspectives.

The core question revolves around the future of the Kurtheater, a historically valuable half-timbered building from 1818 that has been closed since 2018 due to a lack of stability. The city has already planned massive investments of 5 million euros to make the urban landmark stable and free of pollutants by 2026. As far as financing the interior work is concerned, which is expected to cost 21 to 22 million euros, the state of Lower Saxony could cover half of the costs. Ex-CDU parliamentary group leader Klaus-Henning Demuth is optimistic that the final costs could be lower.

The future of the Kurtheater

The Kurtheater is not only being restored in need of renovation; The city of Bad Pyrmont has also agreed to take over the building rent-free for 99 years. This decision could provide a significant boost to urban development and the identity of the city center. Anja Grages sees great opportunities here: “The Kurtheater can provide significant impetus for our city.” The event showed that there is no lack of ideas for future cultural offerings. Whether local productions, festivals or collaborations with universities – the plans are taking shape.

Another pressing issue is the condition of the concert hall, which has been closed for two years. The city has rejected a takeover offer, increasing concerns about cultural infrastructure. Perhaps Bad Pyrmont needs to look for alternatives in order to maintain a lively cultural scene? Music director Arndt Jubal Mehring has already called for a professionally managed event calendar and a non-partisan cultural agenda for the next five years in order to create planning security and clarity.

Support through monument protection funds

A not insignificant point is the financial support through funding, which relates, among other things, to monument protection. A look at that Federal program for monument protection shows that such funds can cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs. This support is not only important for Bad Pyrmont, but also has a positive effect on medium-sized construction and craft businesses throughout Germany.

A feasibility study, which should be available in September, will make it clearer which cultural offerings can be realized in the spa theater. The city is facing a development phase that could be decisive. It remains exciting to see what steps Bad Pyrmont will take to further develop itself as a cultural location and to offer the population a diverse cultural life.

The possibilities are promising and the citizens of Bad Pyrmont are called upon to actively participate in this development. The future could be really colorful if everyone pulls together.