Gersag Congress Center in Emmen before change of operator: What now?

Gersag Congress Center in Emmen before change of operator: What now?

The Gersag Culture and Congress Center in Emmen LU is facing a significant change in operator. The municipality of Emmen has decided to re-tender the lease for the center and the Prélude restaurant. This decision will mean that the current tenants who run the musical theater “Le Théâtre” and the restaurant Prélude will resign at the end of 2025. The operators have informed the local council that they do not want to extend the expiring rental agreement. The main reason for their withdrawal are financial difficulties that have arisen from the last in-house musical productions, according to nau.ch.

In recent months, the operators have focused on renting the premises and catering, as these areas were financially stable. However, for personal reasons they decided not to continue the business. The local council regretted the end of “Le Théâtre” and sees it as a setback for the musical genre in Central Switzerland. Patrick Schnellmann, local councilor, emphasizes the need for a strong concept and local roots for the successor.

Public concerns and financial challenges

Amid these developments, the Emmen municipality's residents' councils are expressing concern about the financial situation of Circomedia AG, the parent company of the theater and restaurant. The parties FDP, SVP, Mitte, SP and the Greens/GLP have submitted an urgent interpellation in which they discuss the future of the Gersag cultural center, the financial impact on the community and the cost recovery of the Prélude restaurant. The focus is particularly on the financial obligations of Prélude Gastronomie AG, which it has not fulfilled towards the municipality, as emmen.ch reports.

In the newly advertised lease agreement, the annual compensation to the municipality is supposed to be 220,000 francs, but parliamentarians consider this amount to be “not realistic” and fear possible further financial losses. Circomedia AG will be dissolved in February 2025 and is currently in debt moratorium, while Prélude Gastronomie AG, a subsidiary, is also in a comparable situation.

Uncertainty hovers over the future of musical events in the Gersag center. It remains to be seen how the municipality and potential new operators will deal with this challenge. Applications for the successor are possible until August 15th, and the hope remains that a new concept can give new inspiration to cultural life in Emmen.