11-11-2020 in Sports facilities, Dortmund

Ground-breaking ceremony for the conversion of Hoeschpark

Construction site starts in the north of Dortmund

A “green oasis” in the north of Dortmund is being upgraded: Construction work has started on the renovation of Hoeschpark. The aim of the modernization work is to further develop the park’s existing sports and recreational function.

The official ground-breaking ceremony for the construction work took place yesterday, Tuesday, November 10. City Councillor Ludger Wilde, Susanne Linnebach, Head of the Office for Urban Renewal responsible for project coordination, and Bernd Kruse, Managing Director of the municipal sports and leisure company, which owns Hoeschpark, gave the go-ahead together with Christoph Helbich (Managing Partner SHA Scheffler Helbich Architekten GmbH) and Florian Depenbrock(nsp landschaftsarchitekten stadtplaner PartGmbB schonhoff schadzek depenbrock).

On the one hand, the sports and tennis home buildings are being renovated. This gives the local associations more space and at the same time parts of the premises are also open to other residents of the neighborhood to hold exhibitions, cultural or other events. On the other hand, parts of the park’s open spaces will be redesigned and some of the path lighting will be renewed. “What is already in place will be flanked by better infrastructure,” says Christoph Helbich. “The character of the park will be preserved.”

“The further development of Hoeschpark is one of the largest and central current urban renewal projects alongside the conversion of Speicherstraße and the ‘Heimathafen’ project. We are delighted to be able to upgrade Hoeschpark, as the park is of enormous importance to the people of Nordstadt,” says Ludger Wilde. And Bernd Kruse adds:

“The park already has a national appeal for sports enthusiasts thanks to the existing facilities for baseball, football, soccer, athletics and tennis. In addition to the upgrading of the sports and tennis facilities, outdoor sports facilities such as the ‘Loop’ fitness trail, a climbing wall, the sports grove with an outdoor fitness center and a multifunctional basketball and tennis court will be created. This will make the park even more attractive for guests.”

Susanne Linnebach adds: “The park is a ‘recreational area for everyone’ and can be strengthened by our measures. As a result, it remains a place of recreation, leisure and sport for people in the neighborhood and also offers guests from the entire city area and beyond its borders particularly attractive activities and places to stay.”

Project funds of almost 5 million euros are available for the development of Hoeschpark, 90 percent of which is being funded. The funding comes from the “Socially Integrative City – Dortmund Nordstadt” urban renewal program, which is supported by the EU, the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The rest of the costs are covered by the city of Dortmund. Due to the EU funding, the implementation of the construction measures is subject to a strict schedule: “The construction work must be completed by the end of 2021 so that the conversion of the buildings and outdoor facilities can start at the same time,” says Linnebach.

The Hoeschpark as a “green oasis”

Hoeschpark, located between Borsigplatz and the former Westfalenhütte, has always played an important role as a “green oasis”, relaxation area and sports venue for the residents of Nordstadt.

It is open to the public and a variety of leisure activities as well as woodland and meadow areas with mature trees offer a wide range of activities for all ages.

In addition to its recreational function in the countryside, Hoeschpark is also very important as a sports venue: today it is home to four soccer clubs and a tennis club as well as a baseball and American football club, making the park famous far beyond the city limits. The Hoeschpark is complemented by the adjacent Stockheide outdoor pool to the east.

Photos: Roland Gorecki