Event postponement Announcement: Sports Festival Cancellation at School
Residents unsettled as asbestos-laden debris remains in Jahn Sports Park, causing nearby school to cancel sports day
Beneath the white-covering of debris from the old stadium in Jahn Sports Park lies hazardous asbestos, a discovery that has been causing concern among residents for days. Although a collection date for the removal of this hazardous material remains undetermined, an adjacent school has taken preventive measures.
Initially scheduled as the sporting highlight of the Thomas Mann Elementary School in Prenzlauer Berg, the annual sports day had to be canceled. According to the school's website, the event at the Jahn Sports Park "regrettably cannot take place." The school went on to explain that this decision was made following extensive discussions and the consideration of various factors, such as staff shortages, unfavorable weather forecasts, and outstanding questions regarding the safe disposal of asbestos in the neighboring stadium.
It is still unknown which other schools in the district are currently avoiding the use of the sports facilities at Jahn Sports Park. The news of the sports day cancellation was initially reported by the Tagesspiegel, and further details regarding the asbestos issue and its potential impact on other schools have yet to be disclosed.
At the beginning of April, asbestos, a carcinogenic substance predominantly used in fire protection, was discovered during demolition activities at the sports park. The demolition was carried out using water mist to minimize dust development, and contaminated construction waste was subsequently covered with safety tarps and left outdoors, awaiting collection.
Responsibility for the transport of the asbestos waste lies with the Brandenburg/Berlin special waste company mbH (SBB). However, transportation can only commence once a suitable landfill has been designated. According to the Senate's building administration, there is no immediate danger for residents or passers-by outside the construction site. Nevertheless, this explanation has not alleviated the community's concerns.
A final collection date for the asbestos-laden debris has yet to be scheduled, with the Senate's building administration confirming that a date is still being coordinated. The packing of the asbestos material for transportation to the designated landfill is expected to begin on June 2.
It is essential to note that residing schools in Prenzlauer Berg have not publicly communicated a conscious decision to avoid the use of Jahn Sports Park due to asbestos concerns. For the most up-to-date information, consult the Berlin Senate's website, local news outlets, or directly contact the affected schools to verify the status of any ongoing safety concerns.
School administrations in Prenzlauer Berg may be implementing education-and-self-development activities indoors due to the ongoing asbestos issue at Jahn Sports Park, as the sports day event at Thomas Mann Elementary School was canceled due to concerns about the hazardous material. Sporting activities in nearby schools may be affected by the uncertainty surrounding the safe disposal of the asbestos, although official announcements have yet to be made.
