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Odenwaldhalle in Michelstadt closes: renovation and energy costs are on the rise!
Michelstadt is closing the Odenwaldhalle due to the need for renovation and high energy costs. Kikeriki theater date postponed.
Odenwaldhalle in Michelstadt closes: renovation and energy costs are on the rise!
In Michelstadt, the Odenwaldhalle became unusable this year. Due to new and significant construction defects, the popular cultural site had to be closed at short notice. This decision became necessary because the building condition is in need of renovation and energy costs remain high. We are now examining what measures need to be taken to eliminate the deficiencies before the hall can be reopened for events. However, the “Mittendrin + Bunt” district center remains unaffected and still accessible to citizens.
An early closure can have serious consequences: A performance by the Kikeriki Theater planned for November 18, 2025 will now be postponed to December 1, 2025 and will take place in the Werner-Borchers-Halle in Erbach. Fortunately, tickets that have already been purchased remain valid, so fans of the performance do not have to miss out on their fun. However, the change in cultural equipment will be noticeable.
Financial support for the renovation
In order to ensure the renovation of the Odenwaldhalle in the future, the city of Michelstadt has been awarded 9 million euros from the federal program “KulturInvest 2024”. This sum covers approximately 50% of the estimated costs, which represents a significant step for the region's cultural infrastructure. This good news was announced on September 25, 2024 by MP Dr. Jens Zimmermann (SPD) announced after a meeting of the budget committee.
The best conditions for this funding arose from a unanimous urgent motion from all parliamentary groups in the city council meeting on May 7, 2024. In it, the magistrate was asked to submit an expression of interest for funding for the Odenwaldhalle. Despite the tight deadline and complex requirements, the parliamentary group leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP as well as the building authority worked closely together in trusting meetings. This committed collaboration was the key to success, as the approval of the ÜWG and CDU for the expression of interest was also crucial.
The future of cultural sites
In a broader context, the energy transition is on the agenda. A new funding program for the energy-efficient renovation of municipal buildings was launched in April 2025, supported by federal and state funds. It aims to create the conditions for a climate-friendly cultural infrastructure. The aim is not only to modernize theaters, museums and libraries, but also to make them more energy efficient. A significant budget of €100 million has been allocated to support the transformation.
This program could also be of interest to the Odenwaldhalle once the necessary renovation measures have been adopted. The requirement to save at least 50% energy opens up new opportunities to maintain the hall in a sustainable manner, which would benefit both the environment and cultural institutions. The transformation of the cultural spaces in Michelstadt is therefore entirely in line with current developments in energy-friendly renovation.
The commitment of citizens and representatives shows that culture is highly valued in Michelstadt and that efforts are actively being made to improve the general conditions. The challenge posed by the closure of the Odenwaldhalle could therefore also prove to be an opportunity for a future-oriented redesign.