The State of Hesse is providing 60,000 euros to support the renovation of the boathouse
State Secretary Dr. Stefan Heck presented the grant notification during a visit to the Steinmühle
The renovation of the Steinmühle boathouse is a major undertaking—but it is now much easier to finance: Dr. Stefan Heck, State Secretary at the Hessian Ministry of the Interior and Sports, presented Dietrich Mägerlein, chairman of the Rudern und Sport Steinmühle (RuS) Marburg association, with a grant notification in the amount of 60,000 euros. “Coming here was particularly important to me,” said Heck, who made the visit to Steinmühlenweg before the restrictions imposed by pandemic-related regulations took effect. He added: “Our state government is particularly supportive of the club’s inclusive approach. By applying for this grant, you were really just preaching to the choir.”
The Steinmühle boathouse was built in 1970. Champions and Olympic athletes used to come and go there, but now the building is showing its age. Dietrich Mägerlein: “We’ve basically renovated whatever we could with a few brushstrokes. Recently, however, we’ve also found that the roof and plumbing are in a condition that can no longer be tolerated.”
For generations, the Steinmühlen boathouse has been the gathering place for rowing and the home of the rowing equipment. Weather permitting, a large group of rowing enthusiasts currently meets several times a week to hone their rowing technique and speed under the guidance of rowing instructor and coach Martin “Stromi” Strohmenger. The partnership with the German Institute for the Blind (blista) is also a long-standing tradition. As part of an inclusive project, rowing has been made accessible to visually impaired athletes at the Steinmühle for many years.
Rowers as Role Models During the Pandemic
Several guests gathered for the grant presentation in the foyer of the newest Steinmühle building, located at the entrance to the school campus. Dirk Bamberger, a member of the Hessian State Parliament, delivered a welcoming address: “As a resident of Cappel, I am well aware of the significance of the Steinmühle,” he emphasized, and expressed his hope that the construction work would proceed smoothly and without accidents. First District Deputy and Vice-District Administrator Maria Zachow paid tribute to all active members of the club and described rowing as symbolic of how to deal with the pandemic: “You pool your strengths, all pull together, and find the right stroke rate. It’s all about mobilizing our strength together.” Georg Ritter, Executive Director of the Steinmühle Boarding School, highlighted the importance of rowing within the school’s overall athletic program and emphasized the support the project receives from the school’s governing body.
Ultimately, the state’s grant paves the way for a renovation project that can only be financed through a collective effort. As one of the key stakeholders—and the operator of the high school and bilingual elementary school—the Steinmühle Marburg School Association deserves special mention; its executive director, Dirk Konnertz, was also present. But it’s not just in financial matters that a network comes together. When it comes to pulling the organizational strings, coordinating efforts, and even rolling up his sleeves to help out, RuS Chairman Dietrich Mägerlein can rely on a team. His deputies, Björn Gemmer—who is also the principal of Steinmühle—and Bianca Zenker keep the rowing community on course in every respect.
