Construction of the artificial track in Bludenz makes great progress

Bludenz (RWH) The construction of the ice channel in Bludenz, Austria, is making great progress. The representatives of the provincial associations and the federations were able to see this for themselves at the annual board meeting of the Austrian Luge Federation (ÖRV) in Bludenz during an inspection of the construction site.

In spring 2020 the first curve elements for the artificial ice track in Vorarlberg were anchored. Prior to this, the safety nets had been installed, the construction site had been set up and the construction crane had also been brought into position. Work on the roughly 700-metre-long track is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2020-2021 winter season next October. From then on, the new facility will be available for the sports of luge, skeleton, mono- and two-man bobsleigh for training purposes, but also for sprint and junior competitions.

For reasons of nature conservation – the sports area borders on a "Natura 2000" area – the entire track had to be roofed over. The purpose of "Natura-2000" is the transnational protection of endangered native wild plant and animal species and their natural habitats. As a result of the increased requirements during construction and the higher prices since the original calculation seven years ago, the total costs have risen from 6.8 to now 7.6 million euros. Thanks to the subsidies of the National Luge Association (ÖRV), but also of the International Luge Federation (FIL) and the Iternational Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) the financing could finally be secured.