On behalf of the Association of Youth Hostels in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, Chairman of the Board Jacob Geditz and Chairman of the Board of Directors Karl Peter Bruch as well as architect Matthias Dimmer provided information about the construction project, which has an investment volume of 6.5 million euros. Both the city of Idar-Oberstein and the district of Birkenfeld contributed 1.58 million euros each. This was decided unanimously by the city council and district council, as Mayor Frank Frühauf and District Administrator Miroslaw Kowalski emphasized at the press event. "Without this support, we would not have been able to implement the project," emphasized Jacob Geditz. After all, the association's own contribution of around 3.4 million euros was a major effort. At the end of the project, however, the building will be up to date, both in terms of the furnishings in the 34 rooms and from an energy point of view. "After the refurbishment, we expect 25,000 overnight stays per year," said Geditz, setting an ambitious but, in his view, feasible target. This will have a positive impact on the town, as experience has shown that every overnight stay generates 100 euros of added value locally. Karl Peter Bruch also emphasized that the decision to renovate the Idar-Oberstein youth hostel was a difficult one for the Board of Directors. After all, it had actually already been decided that the hostel in the gemstone town would be closed for good. "But the city and the district stand by the youth hostel and support its preservation. That's not the case everywhere.
Architect Matthias Dimmer explained what will be happening on the construction site over the next few months: "Basically, the house will be renovated from top to bottom." Only the kitchen will remain in its current form, but will be modernized. The building is currently being uncovered in order to reseal it. All water and waste water pipes as well as the entire building services will be replaced. The building will be thermally insulated, heating and hot water will be provided by three cascading air heat pumps and a PV system will be installed on the roof. Of course, the rooms will also be refurnished and the seminar rooms equipped with modern technology. Almost all trades have now been put out to tender.
Lord Mayor Frank Frühauf briefly looked back on the history of the building, which was built in the 1950s. "Most recently, the youth hostel recorded around 16,000 overnight stays per year, which accounted for 20 percent of all overnight stays." The hostel is therefore of great importance for tourism in the region. The mayor is therefore delighted that the facility can be revitalized through the cooperation with the district and the youth hostel association. "This is to the benefit of us all." This was also emphasized by District Administrator Miroslaw Kowalski, who reported that school classes in particular are desperately looking for overnight accommodation in the region. "Our youth recreation center in Hattgenstein is fully booked, so you notice that the youth hostel is missing." This shortcoming should be resolved from next fall.