- The demolition of the police headquarters paves the way for the Soers sports park with ALRV Campus, Mobility Hub and multifunctional sports hall.
- The state of NRW is funding around 90 percent of the total costs of the demolition.
- After the demolition, a traffic-safe and temporarily usable area will be created.
An important milestone has been reached for the Soers sports park: On July 1, NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst presented Aachen's Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen with the funding decision for the demolition of the old police headquarters, thus laying the foundation for the redesign and development of the sports park. The state of NRW is funding 90 percent of the total costs.
Sibylle Keupen expressed her sincere thanks and explained: "Sportpark Soers is one of the most important sports development projects in the city of Aachen. The demolition of the police headquarters paves the way for an ALRV Campus with a Mobility Hub and a multifunctional sports hall for top-class sport, school and club sport. I am delighted that we will be able to offer all Aachen residents a wide range of exercise and leisure activities here in the future, even outside of club sports. The good cooperation with all stakeholders, from the ALRV to the sports clubs, is the basis for the success of this major project, which I am already looking forward to seeing completed."
A total of over 40 million euros for the promotion of sports infrastructure
Hendrik Wüst commented on the funding decision as follows: "From coal to AI - North Rhine-Westphalia is focusing on innovation and digitalization in order to actively shape the future. The Rhenish mining area is being supported by the state and federal government with a broad range of structural policy measures as it phases out lignite. The focus here is on creating new prospects in sustainable industries, preserving jobs and improving business-related infrastructure. At the same time, we are also specifically strengthening the region as a liveable and attractive area - among other things through urban development measures, the expansion of the leisure and cultural landscape and - as here in the Soers - the further development of the sporting infrastructure with all its positive effects. With funding totaling over 40 million euros, we are sending out a strong signal for the region, the community and sport. This project is not only important for the hosting of the 2026 World Equestrian Games and the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but is also proof that we are continuing to actively modernize our sports facilities. In this way, we are creating a strong basis in North Rhine-Westphalia - for our athletes, our clubs and society as a whole."
The demolition forms the basis for all further planning
Stefanie Peters, President of the ALRV, added: "The handover of the funding decision by the State Chancellery for the demolition of the police headquarters is a great sign, as the next steps can now be taken quickly. The demolition forms the basis for all further planning, as far as we are concerned, for the construction of our new indoor riding arena. Now we need to push ahead with implementation as quickly as possible."