The ongoing trouble about the planned expansion of the training facility of 1. FC Köln at Geißbockheim is entering the next round – again!
On Wednesday there was a site inspection around the Geißbockheim. Also present: representatives of the Citizens’ Initiative, representatives of the city, FC President Werner Wolf and Managing Director Phillip Türoff, as well as Dr. Dirk Korella as the responsible judge of the Higher Administrative Court in Münster.
The Hammer: The FC-Zoff has been with the OVG in Münster since 2020. The city had previously given the green light for the expansion plans, but was then sued by the citizens’ initiative. The fact that Richter Korella is now – two years later – getting an idea of the situation fits in with the impasse surrounding the expansion.
And it’s far from over! The first court date in the Geißbockheim construction case is not scheduled for the OVG until November. Even if a decision is made in favor of FC in Münster at some point, the citizens’ initiative has already announced further steps and wants to go to the Federal Administrative Court.
Judge Korella (middle covered) looks at the expansion plans at GeißbockheimPhoto: Andreas Pohl
Time that FC does not have.
Coach Steffen Baumgart (50) grumbled last September: “In terms of infrastructure, we are far below some second division teams. That makes me think. I only have one top pitch and one top stadium. Far too many teams train in a few places under bad conditions. When it comes to the youth performance center or our cabins, we have reached the lowest end of the flagpole.”
Back then, Baumgart demanded: “Solutions have to be found. Otherwise this location will not be as good as we would all like it to be in the long run. I don’t always want to hear what’s not working, but what’s working!”