[ad_1]
After lengthy negotiations between the elevator company and a landowner who, as reported, initially did not want to extend the lease, an agreement was reached through the mediation of Governor Wilfried Haslauer (VP). If snow conditions permit, the elevators should be operational again this winter.
Yesterday, Wednesday, the last of the affected owners signed the lease. In this way, negotiations with all landowners could be concluded. There was a sigh of relief in the region.
Misunderstandings cleared
It was only on September 11 that the new owners of the ski resort, which had been replaced by bankruptcy proceedings, Viennese lawyer Berthold Lindner and transport and demolition contractor Bernhard Eibl, announced the bad news that the popular hiking destination family members was finally history. Negotiations on the lease agreements had only failed because of a single owner, it was said. The result is that there is no longer a contract with the elevator company for the parking spaces and the section of the lower Gaiau valley. Then the owners announced the sale of the elevators.
But you didn’t want to give up. Some mayors in the region announced that they would return to dialogue with all those involved. And the governor also offered mediation talks. These took place at the Chiemseehof, the seat of the government of the state of Salzburg, in the presence of Haslauer, according to his spokesman. Ultimately, both parties were willing to compromise and misunderstandings had been cleared up.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us”
If snow conditions allow, the ski area may open in the 2020/2021 winter season, as attorney Lindner said on request Thursday. “We have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. Our employees are working hard. They are highly motivated that the existing elevators can open this year. We will do everything we can to achieve this.
Many people had worked in recent days to clear up misunderstandings, Lindner said. As mediator, the governor made a decisive contribution to this, declared Lindner and Eibl in unison. The revision work is almost finished now. Next, the concessions would have to be obtained, the barriers in the mountain pastures removed, the signs put up and the access systems installed.
Snowmaking system and lift renovation
According to Lindner, operating costs in the upcoming winter are manageable. There will be significant investments in the coming years with the construction of a snowmaking system and the renovation of the ski lifts. A two-digit amount of millions will be required by 2027.
The governor said he was relieved by the agreement with the landowner. “I am really very happy that those affected have found a solution that is good for both parties and that an agreement has been reached,” Haslauer said. This “locally sourced ski area” is not only of great importance to the region itself, but also to the city of Salzburg and the surrounding communities. The country is also willing to pay around two million euros in financing if a detailed, economical and sustainable concept is presented.
Operators are now expecting a mild fall and “goodwill from Ms. Holle” for the ski area to be operational this year. The ski area is considered “crown safe” because there are no gondolas and therefore an uninterrupted ski spa is possible.
