CDU candidate for Minister-President Manuel Hagel visited the Europa-Park in Rust as part of his summer tour for the 2026 state election. He was accompanied by Baden-Wurttemberg's Justice Minister Marion Gentges, state parliament member Guido Wolf, and CDU local councilors Andreas Bachmann and Kai Melder from Rust. The delegation was welcomed by owners Roland Mack and Jurgen Mack, managing partner Ann-Kathrin Mack, and partner Frederik Mack. A key part of the visit was a tour of the new Silver Lake City.
Impressive Visit and Quote
Manuel Hagel expressed his admiration after the visit, emphasizing that the Europa-Park is innovative, successful, family-oriented, and full of heart. He described it as a true success story and a top calling card for the country worldwide. Silver Lake City and the children's house exemplify economic innovation combined with social responsibility. The park not only shapes leisure time but also gives families hope and joy.
New Attraction Silver Lake City
Silver Lake City presents itself as a Western town with authentic flair. It includes Western houses, tipi tents, and covered wagons. The offerings are complemented by the buffet restaurant "Diner Station" and the "Wild Horse Bar." A mini-golf course rounds out the attractions. During the tour, the emerging "Europa-Park Kinderhaus Kleine Helden" was also a focal point of interest.
The Kinderhaus Kleine Helden
The foundation stone for the "Europa-Park Kinderhaus Kleine Helden" was laid recently. Completion is planned for the coming year. The facility will provide affected families, after overcoming cancer, with a free and restorative stay at the Europa-Park and the water world Rulantica. The ambassador for the children's house is Miriam Mack. In cooperation with the "Stiftung RTL - Wir helfen Kindern e.V." and under the patronage of musician DJ BoBo, five barrier-free apartments are being created. Each apartment is designed for four people. The accommodation will be integrated into a nature-oriented leisure program. Professional support comes from the Syltklinik and the Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung. Volunteer retired employees from the Europa-Park will handle the on-site care for the families. Annually, more than 100 affected families are expected to benefit from this offer.
Exchange on Future Topics
Following that, an intensive exchange took place on relevant future themes. The focus was on attracting and long-term retention of qualified workers. The Europa-Park addresses this challenge through international recruitment, an attractive work environment, and diverse development opportunities. Another key area was infrastructural development.
Infrastructural Development and Master Plan
This development occurs particularly within the framework of the Master Plan Traffic, developed jointly with the municipality of Rust. The plan provides forward-looking solutions for mobility, visitor management, and supply. This serves the interests of guests, employees, and residents. Finally, the Mack family provided an outlook on upcoming construction measures.
Future Modernization of the Resort
Through these measures, the resort will be sustainably modernized and expanded in the coming years. The plans align with the region and its needs. The visit underscored the importance of politics in creating framework conditions that promote both economic growth and social engagement in the region equally.
