Delay in Cologne Stages' Completion Extended Again
In yet another setback, the refurbishment of Cologne's stages is facing a further delay. Bernd Streitberger, the Technical Operations Manager, announced on Friday that the completion date is now slated for June 28, 2024, three months later than initially planned[1]. Streitberger acknowledged the difficulty of this decision, adding, "Handing over the buildings with so many exceptions makes no sense, so unfortunately we had no other choice here."
An analysis of the situation revealed that several construction measures could not be completed by March 22, 2024, the original handover date[1]. The delay in completion will also bump up the costs, with estimates now reaching 686 million euros[1]. Initially, a budget of 250 million euros was set for the refurbishment, which began in 2012[1].
The potential impact of this delay on the opera and theater remains uncertain[1]. "Various scenarios for the opening of Offenbachplatz will be discussed and developed within the administration in the coming weeks," stated the press release[1]. Once these discussions are complete, an official announcement regarding the opening of the venues will follow[1]. Originally, the Cologne Opera was expected to reopen in 2015[1].
The delay in the completion of Cologne's music stages also has implications for the local theater, as both are integral parts of the municipalities' cultural infrastructure[1]. Consequently, the refurbishment, initially scheduled to conclude in March 2024, will now continue until June 24, 2024[1].
Despite the availability of the Cologne University of Music and Dance's calendar, offering details of ongoing activities and future events [5], there is no concrete evidence suggesting a delay in the refurbishment or changes in the completion dates.
[1] [5]
