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Leipzig's school sports in crisis: closures due to dilapidated sports fields!
In Lößnig, several sports fields are closed due to significant defects. The city is urgently planning renovation measures for school sports.
Leipzig's school sports in crisis: closures due to dilapidated sports fields!
In Leipzig, four sports fields are temporarily closed for school sports. The sports field on Sasstraße has significant defects, including peeling red tartan as well as visible black layers, deep cracks and holes. These problems led to the use of the long jump facility and the running track being banned for school operations. A safety inspection revealed serious defects in the tartan and ash running track, necessitating the decision to close it. The sports fields at the locations Sasstrasse, Gohlis, Ratzelstrasse in Grünau, Katzmannstrasse in Mockau and Bernhard-Kellermann-Strasse in Lößnig are affected. All surrounding schools and clubs were informed about the bans on use. The city of Leipzig plans to commission specialist companies to renew the tartan surface, although the restrictions on use could last until early summer 2026 as it takes until the end of September to apply new surfaces. This is reported by the LVZ.
There are specific requirements for school sports from the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) that concern the safety of sports facilities. Against this background, the Wilhelm-Ostwald-Gymnasium has sent a call for help to the public to demand a quick solution. The condition of the sports facilities is also made worse by a strained budget and inadequate funding. Some improvements were made in the summer, such as smoothing out dents on the tartan track in the sports forum. Tasso Hanke, chairman of the Leipzig Athletics Association, expresses concern about the neglect of athletics in school sports.
Demands for investments
The State Sports Association of Saxony (LSB), which is demanding ten percent of the federal government's special funds, is also exposed to growing pressure. Saxony can expect more than four billion euros from this special fund, and the required share should be used for the renovation and modernization of sports facilities. The investment backlog in Saxon sports facilities is currently at least 374 million euros for municipal facilities, which is an alarming sign for many municipal and club-owned sports facilities. This information comes from t online.
The development of the situation is complex. While the city of Leipzig plans to renovate the dilapidated facilities, the DGUV requirements require an immediate and thorough review of the safety standards of all sports facilities. This situation has greatly influenced the use of school sports, particularly athletics, and highlights the urgent need to invest in the infrastructure of sports facilities.