Alt Bundesrat Merz hat die neue Simmental Arena in Zweisimmen eröffnet

The Simmental Arena is a hall for everyone and everything. Multifunctional in the best sense of the word. On the one hand, it is the long-awaited new depot for the local fire department, which previously operated magazines at several locations and can now concentrate on one place thanks to the arena.

But above all, the Simmental Arena is an event hall: it will be the venue for livestock shows and agricultural markets. It is also a festival hall, offers space for sporting events and houses a restaurant. And last but not least, the new arena is a concert hall.

Music from Switzerland
It passed its baptism of fire on the inauguration weekend, when hundreds of people of all ages flocked to the Simmental Arena. Prominent figures such as Ursula Zybach, President of the Bernese Grand Council, and former Federal Councilor Hans-Rudolf Merz ceremoniously opened the new hall.

In addition to attractions for young and old, the folkloric group Blaumeisen and the Zurich musician Nickless ensured a good atmosphere. And another nationally known artist has already announced a guest appearance at the new location in the Bernese Oberland: rapper Bligg ("Musigg i dä Schwiiz") will be performing in the arena at the end of October.

Wood from Switzerland
The musician should be assured of a large crowd, as the Simmental Arena can seat up to 2,000 people. The building is 80 meters long and over 30 meters wide and is made of Swiss wood. Around 2,000 cubic meters of certified wood from Swiss forests were used for the arena - for a good reason: "We are here in a region where there is a lot of wood," said Ernst Hodel, president of the municipal council of Zweisimmen, to the Jungfrauzeitung, "which is why this material was used for the construction." The building will soon be awarded the label "Swiss wood origin mark HSH" by Lignum.

A special feature: The hall, for which Timbatec was responsible for construction planning, statics, earthquake bracing as well as fire protection planning, among other things, manages without supports inside. The hall roof, including the powerful photovoltaic system, is supported by a good dozen 38-meter-long arched trusses.