Yonex Hall-TSRI Closure: What Happened?

Hardly a hall moves Zurich as much as the Yonex Badmintonhalle. Since the city announced in the summer that it has to be torn down to build the Franca Magnani bridge, resistance has spread.

Above all in the affected community itself: she started a petition that was signed 7000 times and was handed over to City Councilor Simone Brander (SP) yesterday. It calls for the preservation of the Halle on Geroldstrasse built in 1997.

The same also demanded Stefan Urech (SVP) and Deborah Wettstein (FDP) in a postulate yesterday. The city council should check to what extent the continued operation of the badminton hall at the existing location is possible.

“The feathers should now be plucked by the Yonex Association,” Urech started his vote. The hall is not only sporty, but also culturally important for the neighborhood. “The hall lives,” he said – with a critical look towards Brander.

The city councilor showed understanding, but referred to two central problems: During the four -year construction phase, the entire area would be needed, and demolition is inevitable. After that, a significantly reduced new building would be possible, which was hardly economically portable.

In addition, the municipal council itself called for a wide, flat ramp for the bridge that needs a lot of space. “If we build for bicycle travelers and pedestrians: then so that it is really good for them,” said Brander.

The Greens clearly stood behind this attitude. “We prefer the bridge,” said Markus Knauss. It is of central importance for Zurich, the planning has been taking far too long.

The SP parliamentary group, on the other hand, tried to satisfy both sides: “We say yes to the Veloroute, but also to popular sports,” said Pascal Lamprecht. Zurich simply has a space problem.

Deborah Wettstein (FDP) emphasized that the many signatures at the petition show impressively how strongly the Yonex Hall was anchored in the city. This was also confirmed by Selina Frey (GLP), who have been playing badminton since childhood, as she said. In the Yonex-Halle, too, she has been many times that she was always well attended.

Benedikt Gerth (the middle) was skeptical whether the additional bike connection via the tracks is needed at all. Michael Schmid (al) took up the point and suggested that you dismantle a car trail per direction on the hard bridge.

In the end, the Council agreed on a weakened version of the postulate, brought in by the SP parliamentary group: the hall should only be preserved if “functionality and safety of the bridge” are not impaired. Otherwise, the city council should check an alternative location, ideally in circle 5.

The SVP agreed to the compromise “groaning”, as Urech said, not without “a strain in the arm”. Only parts of the Greens rejected, so that the advance was finally transferred to the city council.

More topics from the council

The municipal council condemned an attack on SVP stand: After devastating the SVP Zelt on the Schwamendingen Chilbi last weekend, several factions made a joint explanation. SP, GLP, middle/EPP and FDP called the incident “an alarming low point in a number of similar attacks in recent months”. They were positively evaluating the cross -party help in the reconstruction of the stand. Finance head Daniel Leupi (Greens) also condemned the crime on behalf of the city council. Violence against political opponents: inside is unacceptable, the political argument must be conducted with respect, tolerance and decency.

Samuel Balsiger (SVP) complaint: Council President Christian Huser (FDP) recalled that Balsiger had raised a serious accusation against a council employee at the last council meeting: the SVP’s applications would be deliberately changed to expose the party. The management dealt with it and came to the conclusion that the accusation was completely baseless. “We can struggle for majorities here in the council hall,” says Huser, “but you should choose your choice of words very well in the event of allegations.”

Further support for social clubs: On Wednesday, the city parliament once again spoke funds for organizations that contribute to the city’s social network. The “Pro Open Doors of Switzerland” foundation receives a recurring contribution of CHF 400,000 annually for its offer called Self -Aid Zurich from 2026 to 2029. The Kafi Click association, which gives those affected by poverty, gives access to the Internet, supported with CHF 160,000 in the same period.

In addition, the AL wants to enable the Kafi click an expansion. The association is currently at its capacity limits, the existing premises at Gutstrasse 162 did not allow any expansion. The city council should therefore check whether another suitable urban property is available. The corresponding postulate was transferred with the support of Greens and SP.

Schulhaus Münchhalde is to be rebuilt: The school complex in Seefeld is getting old and needs a renovation. The sports hall area is to be rebuilt, the attic is expanded and the cavities under the hall are used. The rooms for daily school operation should also be improved and adapted to today’s standards. For project planning, the local council approved a budget of over two million francs yesterday. In addition, the city council should check whether a production kitchen can be installed. “Everyone tastes better on site,” said Balz Bürgisser (Greens).

Amstad follows Diggelmann: After over eleven years in the Zurich town council, SP politician Simon Diggelmann (constituency 4+5) resigned on October 3, 2025. Because all the replacement candidates did not use the SP list inside, the party had to nominate a new person. She proposed Micha Amstad, who accepted the mandate and took the Council on the Council until the elections in March 2026.