SPECTACULAR NEW PRESENTATION OF THE NATURAL ICE RINK
Schierke wants to attract more visitors to the Harz region. The aim is to make Wernigerode town district at the foot of the Brocken mountain more attractive for tourists and winter sports enthusiasts. Since 2011, more than 40 million euros have been invested in local development; roads, bridges and hotels have been renovated and sports facilities expanded.
The revitalised Feuerstein Arena is playing a key role in the development of the town and tourism; the listed former natural ice rink was transformed by the firm of Graft Architects into a multifunctional event area that can be used all year round. The Berlin firm won the Europe-wide tender in 2013 with a unique roof construction that is showcased with light in dynamic colours – WE-EF FLC260-CC LED projectors create flowing, atmospheric colour sequences.
The new arena gives Schierke a unique weatherproof leisure facility. Protected from rain and snow, from November to the end of March people can enjoy ice skating, ice hockey, curling or have fun in the ice disco, while in summer the events include music, theatre, children’s activities and family events. In addition, the stadium, which can accommodate up to 4,900 visitors, can be used for sporting and other events. Two new buildings have been erected on the east and west sides to provide food service and other functional areas.
The extravagant, curved 2,400 m² roof comprises a steel ring structure spanned by a steel rope net covered with PTFE-coated glass fibre membrane. The structure, which rests on the ground at just two points, seems to float above the arena. This impression is further enhanced by dynamic, coloured illumination of the roof on special occasions. Five FLC260-CC LED projectors with RGBW colour changers that have been installed at each end of the roof make the underside shine in the colour of choice. The lens optics of the FLC colour changer series developed by WE-EF, and matched to the coloured LEDs, enable homogeneous colour mixing, soft colour transitions, high efficiency and maximum control of the light.
Architects: Graft, Berlin / Schlaich Bergermann Partner, Stuttgart
Lighting design: Jack be nimble, Berlin