Cologne: Record performance center for FC-a compromise with consequences!

Cologne: Record performance center for FC-a compromise with consequences!

The 1st FC Köln has received approval from the city of Cologne to build a new performance center in the Cologne green belt. This important project was adopted by Cologne City Council on Tuesday evening in a non-public meeting. An amendment, which was brought in by the groups of the Greens, CDU and VOLT, received applause if the SPD and FDP and the votes of the left and the climate lovers approved. As part of the decision, the existing artificial turf pitch next to the Franz-Kremer Stadium in Lease

The planned construction will have an impressive extent of 92 meters in length, 51.50 meters in width and 8.50 meters in height. Several modern facilities are planned within the new center, including offices, training rooms, fitness and physior rooms as well as a wellness area with pool and sauna. A sports hall, a basketball court and an underground car park should also become part of the new infrastructure.

Details on the construction project

The rectangular building will enclose an inner courtyard and follow the winning design of the Hamburg architecture firm Hupe Flatau, which was developed in 2018 and 2019. The facade of the planned complex will have a vertical structure and integrate both ceramic and glass elements. In addition, a partial greening of the building is intended with wild wine, which should contribute to improving the environment.

The approval for this expansion of FC Köln was not granted without controversy. During the discussions, the SPD asked to prefer the public part of the council meeting, which led to a lively debate. Green Group leader Christiane Martin emphasized that this decision was a "compromise as it is in the book", which requires a movement of everyone involved. CDU parliamentary group leader Bernd Petelkau welcomed the compromise, but made it clear that it was just as important to create additional capacities for mass sports, which does not necessarily have to be done in the green belt.

controversy around mass sports

Before the Council decision, there was considerable criticism from the popular sports clubs. These groups expressed concerns that they are disadvantaged for their training times by expanding the FC. The new regulations include the rent of a former asch area on the Fort Zabstein by FC, which is to be converted into an artificial turf pitch. This place is currently being used by three mass sports clubs.

Before the council meeting, the Ball fever Colonia association demonstrated in front of the town hall to fight for the preservation of his training opportunities. The chairman of the Sports Committee, Oliver Seeck from the SPD, criticized the Council alliance for dealing with the city's largest club. He accused the Greens and the CDU of having “systematically putting up and slowing down” FC and endangering the interests of popular athletes. FDP representative Ulrich Breite emphasized the heavily occupied training plan on the Fort Zwetstein and warned that there could be no space for mass sports in the future.

Overall, the decision of the Cologne city council to approved the performance center for 1. FC Köln not only shows the progress of the association, but also the challenges that bring about the needs of popular sports and the development of performance structures in the region. Further information about the current developments can be found in an article on www.rundschau-online.de .