Nordhessenhalle is being prepared for the accommodation of refugees

Together with the city of Volkmarsen, the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg is currently making all preparations to make the Nordhessenhalle ready for the reception of up to 300 refugees from Ukraine. The work in the hall and for the corresponding infrastructure should be finished by mid-April. As things stand, it is not yet clear when the hall will actually be occupied - and this will depend in particular on the allocations made by the state of Hesse.

Hall can be used regularly until 4 April
In the next few days, the tents for catering and medical supplies will be erected on the grounds of the multi-purpose hall, and containers with showers and toilets will be set up. From 4 April, the interior areas of the hall itself will be prepared. Until then, the events and sports activities planned there can still take place.

"The number of those who have to leave their homes because of the war in Ukraine continues to rise steadily," says District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. So far, 1,231 refugees have been officially registered and accommodated in Waldeck-Frankenberg. Many have been given temporary accommodation privately with relatives or acquaintances. "But we already have to prepare for further allocations - and therefore, as a precaution, we are already starting preparations in Volkmarsen and exploring further possibilities.

Close exchange between the district and the city
The sports fields A and B, the clubhouse, the garages to the left of the hall and the fistball building and grounds in Volkmarsen are exempt from use by the district for the accommodation of refugees. According to Mayor Hartmut Linnekugel, these areas can still be used by the sportsmen and women. "Regarding the use of the Nordhessenhalle, we are in close exchange with the district," says the Volkmarsen town hall chief. "The issue has also been coordinated accordingly with the municipal bodies."

Long-term rental offers still sought
According to Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Commissioner of the district, the hall should be set up by mid-April at the latest so that people from Ukraine can be accommodated there until they can move into longer-term accommodation. "Especially for the longer-term accommodation of these people, we are currently still looking for living space for rent," Frese continues. "Interested parties can submit their rental offers via the district's website.

Capacities for 1,000 people
Together with the former tennis hall in Allendorf, where capacities for 300 people have already been created for accommodation, and the Nordhessenhalle, a total of 600 places are thus available so far for short-term accommodation for people from Ukraine. Together with an object rented from a private provider, the district can already provide 850 of the envisaged 1,000 places. However, the district is currently exploring further possibilities to create capacities as a precautionary measure, should an allocation be made by the state of Hesse in the short term.

"The accommodation of refugees from Ukraine is a responsible task for society as a whole," continues District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. "We will tackle this together and would like to thank the cities and municipalities for their good cooperation, as well as all volunteers and other helpers for their commitment and great support. We appreciate that very much.