By Sebastian Karkos
A lot is new in the old forester’s lodge! Dirk Zingler (58) presented the first pictures of the stadium at the general meeting on Monday evening – after the renovation. The President is convinced: “It will be one of the most beautiful stadiums in Europe.”
The Irons want 2024 with that Reconstruction of the stadium start. A conversion that is largely a new building. The grandstand gets a fourth floor, the other three sides are demolished and rebuilt.
Zingler: “Statically and structurally it was not possible otherwise.” The capacity remains as planned in 2017 at 37,700. Current capacity: 22,012.
The red areas mark the places where construction should take place Photo: 1. FC Union Berlin eV
Important for the fans: The Köpenickers will move to the Olympic Stadium during the construction phase (2024/25 at the earliest) and expect a construction period of 12 to 14 months.
Also new: The site has belonged to the club for a week. Previously, a heritable building right contract with the state of Berlin had been in effect since 2008. The professionals move into new premises within the Alte Försterei. The players get a training center with an area of 3500 square meters at the (new) training grounds.
Called: The cabins in the main grandstand are only used on match days. Not only the face of the stadium is changing. From spring 2023, things are set to change, especially outside of the city.
This is what the stadium should look like at some point. The building with the old scoreboard is to be demolished and rebuilt Photo: 1. FC Union Berlin eV
► The office in the Forsthaus is being renovated, club boss Zingler & Co are moving into containers during the construction phase, which are placed on the old “Lidl parking lot”.
► A three-story car park is being built on the stadium grounds, which will provide space for 36 buses (for away fans) and 380 cars.
► As planned, the fan house will be built between the forester’s lodge and the stadium. Including terrace.
The fan house is to be built between the forester’s lodge and the stadium Photo: 1. FC Union Berlin eV
► A bypass road will be built where the forest path is currently located. At the junction with the street An der Wuhlheide there is a tram bend.
The club wants to inform its supporters about the exact process and, above all, the costs of the project in spring 2023.