The Waldmannhalle has re-opened after closure due to a crater in the ground

The ground subsidence at the Waldmannhalle has been secured, and the building is stable according to the Baar municipality,. But the repair work will take a considerable time.
 

The Waldmannhalle is open again from noon on Friday, 5th December. The sports hall itself and the ancillary rooms, the Sport-Inn restaurant, and the underground parking garage can be safely accessed and used, as the municipality of Baar announced on Friday morning. Restrictions apply only to the entrance area facing the Sonnackerstrasse. A larger area around the subsidence, as well as the access ramp including the bicycle parking area, will remain cordoned off for safety reasons. The hall and the Sport-Inn restaurant can be accessed from the Wiesental school building side.

The municipality has also decided to reopen the Sonnackerstrasse to traffic. The road has been open only to residents, suppliers, and construction companies since the ground subsidence occurred on Monday afternoon and evening. This restriction has now been lifted.

The ground subsided in front of the Waldmannhalle in Baar on 1st December        Photo: Jakob Ineichen
 

Searching for the causes
According to a press release, the water was pumped out of the subsidence on Thursday, 4th December. Various safety measures to ensure the area can be safely accessed are being implemented from Friday, 5th December. Specialists will be able to examine the return well and the supply lines this week, and "will hopefully gain insights into the exact cause of the ground subsidence."

It is suspected that a leak in the heating system of the Waldmannhalle led to the erosion of the ground and thereby to the subsidence. Camera inspections and drilling will be used to determine the cause. The subsequent repairs are expected to take several weeks or even months, depending on the nature of the damage. Restrictions are therefore to be expected for an extended period. "The municipality cannot provide any information regarding the costs at this time," the statement concludes.

A video from Jakob Ineichen showing how the hole in front of the Waldmannhalle entrance looks can be seen on:
https://www.zugerzeitung.ch/zentralschweiz/zug/baar-waldmannhalle-ist-wieder-offen-ld.4088263