WHAT'S NEW?! #46 - VILLACH IN JANUARY 2025

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In January, Villach will host important topics and events, including the adoption of the 2025 city budget, the introduction of an innovative asphalt recycling plant, funding for creative business ideas, free winter activities for residents, and the Women's Ski Jumping World Cup in the Villach Alpen Arena.

• 2025 City Budget Approved: The budget for 2025 has been adopted with a total volume of 332.8 million euros. Despite significant financial challenges due to declining tax revenues and rising expenses, there will be no cuts in social benefits and club subsidies. This is intended to maintain the quality of life for residents. Additionally, the city plans investments totaling 47.4 million euros in education, housing, and sustainable projects to ensure a forward-looking development.
   
• Sustainable Heat Source from Wastewater: The city of Villach plans to use the wastewater from the St. Agathen wastewater treatment plant as a sustainable heat source for the district heating network. By utilizing heat pumps, the wastewater's heat will be efficiently used for city heating, contributing to the reduction of climate-damaging emissions. Detailed planning could begin as early as 2026 if current evaluations yield positive results.
   

• Innovative Asphalt Recycling Plant in Villach: Villach is the first municipality in Austria to deploy a mobile recycling plant for old asphalt. This allows the production of new asphalt mixture from recycled material, conserving resources and providing a cost-effective alternative to the traditional use of bucket asphalt for repairing potholes and smaller excavations.

• Free Winter Fun in Villach: Villach offers a variety of free leisure activities for residents this winter, including cold-water bathing in lakes, free ice skating on Silbersee and at the Rathausplatz, and various winter sports in the Dobratsch Nature Park. The city provides changing rooms at the panoramic beach (Dobollach) and bike-beach (St. Andrä) and ensures the maintenance of ice surfaces and hiking trails.
   
• Elite Ski Jumpers in the Alpen Arena: For the third time, the best female ski jumpers in the world will meet in early January for the Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup at the Villach Alpen Arena. A total of 70 athletes from 16 countries will compete in the exciting events on January 5th and 6th, 2025. Another highlight will be the award ceremony, including a concert and show act at the Rathausplatz.
   
• Searching for Young Art Talents: The Bruno Gironcoli Art Prize will be awarded again in 2025 to provide young artists up to the age of 30 with a platform. The nomination phase runs until the end of February 2025. Interested individuals can submit their meaningful applications to mario.seher@villach.at.
   
• Candidates for the Youth Council Sought: In March 2025, a new youth council will be elected in Villach, which will have the opportunity to contribute ideas and, for the first time, decide on youth events. Interested individuals can submit event ideas and register as candidates at the Youth Center (JUZ).
   
• Events: In January, art lovers can look forward to an exciting program! On January 14th, the opening of the exhibition "unikART" will take place at the Dinzlschloss, which will be on display until March 15th, 2025. Additionally, the new exhibition "Augenblick" by Helga Druml will open at the Freihausgasse Gallery on January 16th.