The city of Bochum has completed the feasibility study for a new large sports hall on Castroper Straße. The new building could address key deficits in the existing sports infrastructure. The study sees opportunities to position Bochum more strongly as a sports location in the Ruhr area.
The reason for the investigation is the condition of the existing circular sports hall at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. The hall is no longer considered structurally and functionally up to date. The requirements for higher-class basketball are also not met there. The new hall will be used exclusively for sports. Concerts are not planned. The present feasibility study now forms the basis for further political decisions.
The circular sports hall with around 1,500 seats can no longer meet today’s requirements. A possible participation of VfL SparkassenStars Bochum in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) is not possible there. At the same time, there are only a limited number of adequate large sports halls in the Ruhr area. The study is therefore examining the construction of a new hall on a municipal property on Castroper Straße, today’s fairground.
Needs of schools and clubs
The study shows that school needs can also be met at the new location. The main users remain the Goethe School and the Hildegardis School. The hall should be used primarily for school sports on weekdays. The new building opens up additional hall time and new usage options for clubs. Among other things, dance sports, indoor football tournaments, dart competitions and international dance events are mentioned. The Traditional Masters or the Badminton Open, which have been taking place in Mülheim for years, could find a new home as their capacity is well beyond the previous 2,500 spectators.
A central component of the concept is a BBL-suitable design of the hall. Up to 4,500 spectator seats are planned on telescopic stands. In addition to basketball games, handball or volleyball international games would also be possible. Events such as the German Badminton Open could also be brought to Bochum in the future. The study also sees potential for sporting events that have so far rarely or not at all taken place in the Ruhr area.
A special feature is the option of an LED glass floor, which is already integrated into the requirements of the 1st and 2nd basketball federal leagues in the implementation conditions. This technology has so far rarely been used in Germany. It allows flexible field markings, reduces changeover times and opens up new marketing opportunities for advertising partners. At the same time, according to the study, the ground is fully suitable for school and club sports. Didactic possible uses in training are also mentioned.
Planning, location and cost framework
The planned location covers around 22,000 square meters and is well connected to traffic. The spatial concept provides for a hall that can be divided into three parts, additional training rooms and extensive functional and changing areas. The cost framework is around 59.4 million euros net, including a cost variance of ten percent. The gross total costs amount to around 70.7 million euros. The study sees risks primarily in the subsoil and the planning process.
The feasibility study comes to the conclusion that the construction of a large sports hall on Castroper Straße is fundamentally feasible. It could bundle school, club and professional sports and bring new sporting formats to Bochum. From the experts’ point of view, the hall would significantly strengthen Bochum’s position as a sports city in the Ruhr area.
