Thalersee which is located directly at the gates of Graz is even known in the US. Because “Terminator” and ex-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger grew up a stone’s throw from the lake and proposed to his fiancée at the time, Maria Shriver, whilst sitting in a rowing boat on the lake.
That is a while ago – Thalersee had already fallen into a type of deep sleep back then. Still always idyllic, still popular with people who liked to hike or do excursions – but that certain something was no longer there. That will now change. Because the city of Graz has acquired the area and the Leisure division of Holding Graz will revitalise it.
The current restaurant will be demolished and rebuilt from scratch. In future, the new building will not only be available to guests who visit the lake and its surrounding area but also offer ideal conditions for events, seminars and parties by the lake. One hundred seats in the interior of the restaurant are envisaged, plus another 200 or so seats on the covered terraces of the building and the decks directly on the lake. In addition, eight guest rooms with a lake view will be offered for overnight stays.
The existing boat hire will be extended to include cycle and ice skate hire. The boats will now drop anchor directly in front of the lake terrace. The entire area between the restaurant and the lake will be designed in an inviting way with seats at different levels.
A fundamental part of the project, however, is also the renovation and thus improvement of the flood protection for the Thalerbach which has regularly caused flooding in the municipal area of Graz. As part of a flood protection facility, the lake will now be given a higher dam that will increase the maximum water level of the artificial lake by a metre.
In brief: The new Thalersee will be a hit for both young and old – and the area will of course also offer barrier-free accessibility.
