Clear no for cross-country skiing centre: 71 percent voted against

The citizens of Bad Leonfelden clearly rejected the proposal to build a cross-country skiing center in Weigetschlag, including a roller ski track and artificial snow depot. 71 percent of voters voted against the project and only 29 said yes. The majority of Leonfelden voters seem to have little interest in the issue; voter turnout was 48.5 percent.

The question that voters had to answer was: “Should the municipal council of the town of Bad Leonfelden allocate the areas needed for the construction of a cross-country skiing and biathlon center (…) the necessary designation?” Although the question only seems to concern the rezoning, the public survey ultimately developed into a pro and con vote on the cross-country skiing center itself. Without rezoning, the project would have died anyway.

“Everything done for the project”

“We would have done everything to set up a sensible project. A lot of time and money was invested. We did all of this because the state wanted a cross-country skiing center,” says Peter Möllinger, who wanted to implement the project with Nordstern GmbH. He is not disappointed. “I feel sorry for those who put so much energy into it.” Regarding the next steps, he says: “Without repurposing, the center is of course not possible. But we will coordinate internally how to proceed in the winter.” One thing is clear to Möllinger: “Such political decisions completely destroy the volunteer work.”

Union chairman Wolfgang Bräuer is also disappointed: “I am of course disappointed. The air has gone out of the entire cross-country skiing section. The decision on how cross-country skiing will continue in Weigetschlag will be made over the summer: “The motivation is no longer all that great.”

Mayor Thomas Wolfesberger said of the outcome of the public survey: “The result is not surprising. Especially because in February and March many Bad Leonfeldners expressed their opinion at the municipal office with their signatures. In recent weeks, however, the issue has become much quieter again.” A voter turnout of 48 percent was also to be expected in a vote on a winter sports project on June 30.