“The Youth of Trier voluntarily took over the renovation of the restrooms for the great celebration”
Luisina Fragapane / Fernanda Faúndez. It’s been about two years since they’ve begun to plan the renovation of the large space called the “Pilgrims’ Arena.” This historical place in Schoenstatt was built between 1984 and 1985 to receive large pilgrimages of the German dioceses. Electrical system, benches, terracing, drainage system; these have been the main changes. Clearly, the restrooms were not without remodeling. Lukas Reck, in change of logistics, tells us that members of the male youth of Trier, took the responsibility of renewing the restrooms for the great celebration, who voluntarily and joyfully offered themselves, a task that only reflects the generous spirit of family experience through the construction of the jubilee.
The last great celebration that was celebrated in the “Pilgrims’ Arena” was in 2005. At that time, 5,000 youth gathered for the International Festival of the Youth before World Youth Day in Cologne. The time since then and the inactivity of the place motivated the organizers to remodel it and prepare enough space for the thousands of pilgrims that will come to Schoenstatt. The four main celebrations will take place in the Pilgrims’ Arena. All these adjustments will contribute to the joy of the celebration.
In any celebration, the restrooms are a priority when providing a suitable place, especially when it comes to receiving between 8,000 and 10,000 people. Even the smallest details have been considered: from the toilets to the towel bars. Everything will be renovated. “Currently, there are 50 bathrooms in the Pilgrims’ Arena. Due to their location, they are the most important. There are also restrooms in 9 other places in Schoenstatt,” says Lukas Reck, who is working with 10 other youth to prepare the premises to be in perfect condition.
The members of the male youth are between 18 and 26 years old. Thanks to their work, there is no need to hire anyone which helped considerably with the budget. They spent some of their vacation and, in the penultimate weekend of September, met in Schoenstatt to finalize the arrangements of the toilets, to paint the walls and clean everything.
Despite the rain ruining the “first coat of paint,” with the joy of working for the jubilee, it was no impediment to have everything ready. Today, they only need to make sure that the restrooms work daily (including the night) over the days of the celebration. There will be 15 helpers assigned to keeping them in good condition, cleaning as necessary so that the pilgrims can always find them in good order.
Reck, representing the group of youths, confessed that he “had a lot of fun working for Schoenstatt and finishing this work. We celebrated together with all the volunteers, grilling at their meeting point: Reinisch Pub.”