The Vöcklabruck district has been a good venue for the Hippmann dance school from Wels for years: courses have been held there in rented rooms at least three days a week, says managing director Christoph Hippmann: “Opening a new location is the next logical step.”
The new dance school will open in mid-October in the “Star Movie” cinema in Regau in the rooms of the former discotheque. “We have very good conditions there – easy access from Vöcklabruck and Gmunden, as well as plenty of parking spaces and spacious rooms,” explains the dance school director.
500,000 Euro investment
The Wels-based company is investing around 500,000 euros in the renovation, which is due to be completed at the end of September. “This is a long-term investment for the next thirty years,” says Hippmann. A dance hall that can be divided into two parts if necessary, as well as a bar with a dance floor, will be built on over 600 square meters. “We are adopting our concept from the Wels location. People can enjoy a nice evening in the bar before and following the course, but all other visitors are welcome too,” explains Hippmann.
The course program covers the full range: classics such as cha-cha-cha and waltz are on the program as well as special courses for disco fox, salsa or line dancing. The “Tanzwerk”, the award-winning department for urban dance forms, will also be represented. “The first courses are planned for October 14, so we have to go full throttle over the summer,” says Hippmann.
Wels: 1000 visitors per week
The positive development of the number of participants at the Wels headquarters also spoke in favor of the expansion, says the entrepreneur: “Even in summer, around 1,000 people visit us a week.” Around 20 years ago, there were already considerations regarding opening a second location in Vöcklabruck, says Hippmann: “Back then, it was too risky for my parents. Now we have a very good team of dance teachers who have been with us for ten, 15 or 20 years – without them, it wouldn’t work.”
Star-Movie managing director Hans-Peter Obermayr is also delighted with the new addition: “We are delighted to welcome Austria’s leading dance school and the Tanzwerk to our company.”
Author
Valentin Bayer
Editor Upper Austria
Valentin Bayer
