Movement and encounters

Due to the Corona situation, the official opening ceremony of the Generation Square (Generationenplatz) in Cham had to be cancelled, but the municipality has now come up with something special, and is paying a virtual tribute to the Generation Square.

Where there used to be a parking lot by the Büel retirement centre, there is now a movement and meeting place for the people of Cham that is close to nature. Under the leadership of the Horticulture Division of the resident community of Cham (Einwohnergemeinde), various running tracks, balancing and movement equipment made of wood have been created, on which all generations can train their coordination and balance in a playful way. Christine Blättler-Müller, Head of Social Affairs and Health, is extremely proud of the newly created space and, in a press release, says: "The Generation Square is finally ready and open to the public. The place is a symbol of our efforts to be a liveable community for all generations. In addition, it promotes valuable cooperation and creates another important experience, as well as a place of rest, in public spaces."

Video shows various training ideas
The Generation Square should have been inaugurated with an official opening on 13 June, but the federal ban on events prevented the celebrations from being held. In order to open up the intergenerational and health-promoting habitat in a dignified way, the youth and community work Cham has created a video (www.cham.ch/generationenplatz), in which the "Generation Platz Büel" is celebrated virtually. Among other things, it shows how the devices can be used, what training ideas are available and what the QR codes in the devices are all about.

The new Generation Square in Cham is open to all.

The local population contributed to its creation
The Generation Square is a project in which the municipality had worked hand in hand with the local population. During the realisation phase, a close exchange took place with various people from the age, family and leisure sectors, from which valuable inputs – such as the QR codes or the wheelchair-accessible ‘Kompotoi’ – could be generated. Christian Plüss, Head of Youth and Community Work, values this exchange and says in the press release: "Through the active participation of the accompanying group members and their different perspectives, a place has been created that offers something to both young and old, and is intended to be a place for encounters. Whether for a picnic under the pergola, action on the balancing path or free play in the creative corner – the Generation Square Büel is open to all."

The Hopp-la Foundation supported the realisation of the "Generation Square Büel" both professionally and financially, and also provided ideas for a moving coexistence in times of spatial distance, continues the statement from the municipality.