FT Starnberg has wanted a new artificial turf pitch for its members for years.
In the summer, the city approved the € 400,000 renovation project.
Last Saturday, the first runway for the new square was laid - but the weather didn't play along.
Starnberg
- The FT Starnberg is very happy: work on the new 90 by 55 meter artificial turf pitch began last weekend. “This is a milestone for the club. The redevelopment of the square was urgently needed, ”said youth leader Katrin Rumland in an interview with Starnberger Merkur.
For several years, the renewal of the artificial turf pitch has been at the top of the FT's list of priorities. "The old square had cracks everywhere," says Rumland. “He was also old.” In 2003 the artificial turf pitch was built on Ottostraße. “After 13 years, a place like this is usually broken. The renovation has been overdue for around five years, ”notes the youth leader. Last June, the new artificial turf pitch was the subject of the city's main and finance committee. “For us, the fastest solution is the preferred one,” said Franz Holzinger, chairman of the association, at the meeting at the time. The administration presented two variants, one for 516,000 euros and one for 400,000 euros. The committee ultimately opted for the latter - for reasons of cost and time.
Only four months later, in October, the granulate covering of the old square was removed.
"That went relatively quickly," says Rumland.
“Many of the old materials are also used in the new place.” Only the granulate is replaced by a sand-cork mixture.
“It's just more environmentally friendly,” said the youth leader.
Around 21 football teams from FT Starnberg and a few teams from other clubs are currently waiting longingly for the new pitch to open.
But the laying work, which began last Saturday, has been delayed.
The reason: the autumn weather.
"When it rains, the strips of lawn cannot be glued," says Rumland.
In one to two weeks, however, it should be ready, the athletes can then use the space.
Until then, the members train on the two grass pitches of the club. “However, up to 18 teams have played there in the past few weeks. These are almost all muddy places, ”says Rumland. "There is also a risk of injury when the seats are so slippery." That is why there is also a training break in the room for the adult teams. The children and young people are currently accommodated either in the gymnasium or on the artificial turf pitch of SV Söcking. According to Rumland, the place of the SC Percha would also be an option. In return, the other clubs in the city can rent space for their training as soon as the FT Starnberg's artificial turf field is playable. “One hand washes the other,” says Rumland. SV Söcking, SV Wangen and the Argonauts have already expressed their interest.
"We are very grateful to the city that they approved the space during the difficult times, and we can hardly wait to finally use it," says Rumland.
lf