Debate about Center Parcs in Pütnitz: Opportunity or danger for the region?

Debate about Center Parcs in Pütnitz: Opportunity or danger for the region?

In yesterday's debate about the planned Center Parcs project on the Pütnitz peninsula, there was a lively back and forth of opinions. In the NDR MV Talk in Ribnitz-Damgarten, representatives of a wide range of interests discussed the opportunities and risks of the project. Many participants brought clear points of view, and the atmosphere was correspondingly tense.

The large-scale project includes an impressive 3,200 beds, which will be accommodated in 620 holiday homes and apartments. Furthermore, various leisure options such as a swimming pool, a riding stable, adventure worlds as well as indoor playgrounds, restaurants and cafés are planned. For the proponents of the project, the region's recovery is the priority. They hope that tourism will give new impetus to the local economy, while opponents are very concerned about the possible consequences for nature and living space.

Voices of the actors

Frank Daemen, Managing Director of Center Parcs Germany, emphasized in his remarks that the focus of the project was on innovation, quality and environmental sustainability. “We focus on gentle tourism and not mass tourism,” he explained. On the other hand, Andrea Kuhn, chairwoman of the German Hotel and Restaurant Regional Association, warns that the project could endanger the existing soft tourism. “In this region it is primarily family businesses that shape the atmosphere,” she says.

Steffen Schmidt, founder of the citizens' initiative “No Mass Tourism on Pütnitz”, also voices sharp criticism. He emphasizes that of the planned 250 hectares, at least 10% are designated as protected biotopes. “The city is intervening here without the necessary permits, it can’t go well,” said Schmidt. At least on the side of Mayor Thomas Huth, who is positive about the plans, people see things a little differently. He supports the project and considers it to be a valuable upgrade for Ribnitz-Damgarten. What is particularly important to him, however, is the creation of a feeder road from the motorway in order to relieve pressure on the roads.

Public discussion and livestream

The discussion was well received by viewers, who had the opportunity to follow the talk in the live stream on November 3rd from 8 p.m. The response shows that the topics of nature and environmental protection, as well as the economic opportunities of new projects in the region, will continue to be the focus. It will be exciting to see how the different perspectives will be weighted in the coming months and whether an agreement will be reached at the political level.

In another context, there was recently a popular crossword puzzle in which Atlanta's ___ Center was looking for the solution - here the answer was "CNN". It is interesting to see how such topics can trigger parallel discussions, even if at first glance they have nothing to do with each other.

A diverse range of opinions and an economic future that is at stake - all against the backdrop of the picturesque Pütnitz peninsula. Even if people don't always agree, this debate is definitely giving the region plenty to talk about.

Further information about the project can be found on the website NDR, Daily Themed Crossword and Indiana State Government.