Albert Schweitzer Holiday Centre at Lake Edersee is being rebuilt

The Albert Schweitzer Holiday Centre at Lake Edersee, run by the Frankenberg District Association of the German Red Cross (DRK), will continue to be available in the future as a popular, reasonably priced accommodation facility. Extensive renovation measures are necessary to ensure modern use, but these can now be tackled thanks to a grant from the state of Hesse. District Administrator Dr. Reinhard Kubat was pleased to hand over the funding notification for 433,615 euros to the Managing Director of the German Red Cross Frankenberg, Christian Peter. This is based on investment costs of almost 794,000 euros.

"The Albert Schweitzer Holiday Centre should also be able to serve large groups such as school classes and clubs as a low-cost accommodation alternative directly at the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park in the future," explained Dr Kubat. The aim is to enable people with limited financial means to enjoy a relaxing, natural and eventful holiday in the region. Simple overnight stays would be offered, not fully equipped with all-inclusive; a specially employed adventure educator would offer an exciting supplementary programme. In addition to guided hikes or creek excursions, nature adventure games, night hikes, tent days on the grounds or workshops on various topics are planned.

DRK Managing Director Christian Peter recalled the great tradition of the Albert Schweitzer camp, which had once been a meeting centre for young people from all over Europe who had made a new start there in the spirit of peace and freedom after the catastrophe of the Second World War. "The grant from the federal and state governments helps us to transform the aging camp into an attractive accommodation with contemporary standards and affordable prices," Peter emphasised. "The holiday camp is located in one of the most beautiful holiday regions in the state of Hesse and it offers a unique ambience with Lake Edersee and the neighbouring national park."

At present, the average annual number of guests is about 10,000, but there is no doubt that there is still room for improvement, said the DRK managing director. In this context, he expressly thanked Irmhild Weber from the Village and Regional Development Department, who expertly guided the application process and led it to a successful conclusion. Dr Jürgen Römer, Head of the Village and Regional Development Department, suggested creating an entrance portal to the National Park in the vicinity of the Albert Schweitzer Holiday Centre in order to direct the focus of visitors and guests to the recreational opportunities, but especially to the nature education offers.

The most important reconstruction measure in the Albert Schweitzer Holiday Centre is the demolition of the roof structure. A new full storey will then be built on top of the ground floor and a new gable roof constructed. In order to take advantage of the LEADER funding programme, close coordination was necessary between the responsible village and regional development department of the district, the Kellerwald-Edersee Local Action Group, the state of Hesse and the granting economic and infrastructure bank. According to the "Guideline for the Promotion of Rural Development", the conversion measure could finally be classified as a project for services of general interest - this is intended to eliminate bottlenecks and provide necessary services or products in the areas of care, supply, mobility, culture, health and leisure.

With federal and state funding, more than 60 projects have been implemented since 2017 in the Kellerwald-Edersee region in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district alone - including measures implemented directly by the local action groups via a regional budget. A total of 3.9 million euros were invested in the process, which were subsidised with 1.36 million euros.