Uncovering the City's Move: "The Daily Dish from GL"
Defenders Stake Claim for Quirlsberg: Clash over Territory on Quirlsberg Mountaineer's Peak
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Find out the scoop beyond the youth center and the children's museum! The Folke Bernadotte scout troop in Bergisch Gladbach is up against the renovation of the Q1 building on Quirlsberg, too. However, they've been left in the dark about the plans—uncovering the news in an article on the Buergerportal. In a candid open letter, they appeal to Mayor Stein and local politicos to preserve the building.
The Whitsun camp is a must-do for the Folke Bernadotte scout troop, who've been settled on Quirlsberg for 40 years. Sadly, they've been given the boot, as they must vacate the premises by the end of September (though fingers crossed it might be extended to December).
Hiteman Janis Reinhold reveals, "We only found out about losing our home through that Buergerportal article." After the first report, the youth center confirmed the scouts' eviction.
More on the Scouts' Plight
This week, Janis and three fellow scouts are packing up a truck full of gear, supplies, and tents for the Whitsun camp that kick-starts this Thursday. Some 50 kids and youngsters will attend from various troops across NRW, with Arnsberg as their destination. The Whitsun vibe has taken a hit due to the dwindling hopes of returning to their favorite meet-up spot.
"Learning we're losing our home was gut-wrenching. No one's contacted us," shares Janis.
More on the Q1 Building
City-owned Q1 building is leased to the evangelical church, which in turn caters to the scouts and children's museum. According to the city, the building shows severe signs of aging, making maintenance costs skyrocket. The church has canceled the lease agreement, effective October 2024, and all tenants will be evicted by the end of September—perhaps even earlier, by December.
The scouts aren't going down without a fight. They penned an open letter to Mayor Frank Stein and other city officials, outlined below.
A Call to Arms From the Scouts
Dear elected officials,
We, the Folke Bernadotte scout troop, reach out to you today with an urgent plea.
Via various news outlets, we discovered that the evangelical church has terminated the lease for the building on Quirlsberg, where we've been based for over 40 years, as part of our nearly 80-year legacy.
We understand the building isn't new, but we don't see it as beyond repair. Hence, we ask you—please advocate for the preservation of the building on Quirlsberg!
This building is more to us than just a structure. It's the vessel of memories cherished by countless kids and young adults across the decades. Our humble abode, so to speak, has been a testament to the countless hours of unpaid work and affection invested in it.
More on the Situation
Apart from volunteering our time for the youth, we've consistently invested effort into keeping up the scout hut. Come renovation season, we spruce things up by tackling ivy-infested windows, painting walls, upgrading the kitchen, fixing furniture, and so on. The scout hut is dear to us, as it cannot be replicated by other spaces.
We're more than ready to take part in the renovation endeavors, both financially and physically.
Our troop has seen steady growth for years, boasting over 100 members—a number we haven't seen in decades! Our members hail from the immediate area, from Gladbach Mitte. Many come from economically disadvantaged families, yet we've managed to organize weekly meetings and international travels, often without additional family costs, for 75 years. Our scout hut is crucial to our mission, as it enables us to make a lasting impact on our community.
We call upon you—please support the preservation of the building, help uplift the children and youth from underprivileged backgrounds in Gladbach Mitte, and protect a slice of local history!
Warm regards,Janis "Menu" Reinhold (Leader)On behalf of the troop council and leadership of Folke Bernadotte
- The Folke Bernadotte scout troop, who have been constantly engaged in neighborhood activities for 80 years, are disheartened as they face eviction from their meeting place on Quirlsberg, which serves not just as a structure but as a repository of memories.
- In their plea to Mayor Stein and other city officials, the Folke Bernadotte scout troop not only asks for preservation of their beloved building, but also expresses their readiness to contribute financially and physically to its renovation, believing that it plays a vital role in their mission to positively impact the community, especially children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds in Gladbach Mitte.
