After months of uncertainty, the future of the former "British Moehnesee Sailing Club" has now been clarified: the site will be operated as a pitch for motorhomes in future. The leasehold agreement between the Ruhrverband as the owner and the new operators was signed on 14 January 2025. The two experienced tourism entrepreneurs Michael Sprenger and Katrin Wirz want to offer comfortable pitches with lake views and natural planting as well as facilities for solar-powered energy supply and sanitary facilities under the name "Camp 13 - the motorhome harbour on Lake Möhnesee". The opening is planned for autumn 2025.
"We are proud to be able to transform this historic site into an attractive destination for motorhome owners. It is important to us to preserve the tradition of the site and at the same time meet the needs of today's travellers," explains Michael Sprenger, who has been running a motorhome rental business in Soest for many years. Contrary to earlier considerations, which envisaged the complete demolition of the existing buildings, the former clubhouse is now to be retained. "We attach particular importance to this in order to preserve a piece of tradition on Lake Möhne," continues Sprenger. The accommodation building, on the other hand, will be demolished as planned.
The site had served as a meeting place and recreation centre for members of the British Army since the 1950s and had been unused since their departure. Interim plans by the ADAC to build a mobile home park on the site were abandoned at the end of 2023. The Ruhrverband then endeavoured in vain for several months to find a subsequent use in line with the development plan. After the time-consuming and labour-intensive search for a viable concept was unsuccessful, the Ruhrverband decided in summer 2024 to divide the area into two parts by erecting a construction fence to the north-south and to make the western part, which mainly consists of meadow areas, available to the public until further notice.
Constanze Millat, the group leader responsible for property management at the Ruhrverband, is therefore positive about the agreement that has now been reached on a subsequent use for tourism: "We were presented with a convincing concept that complies with the existing development plan and creates an additional tourist offer at the Möhne Dam. After a long period in which this attractive site lay virtually fallow, this new development is very pleasing for us."