Work on the new sports facilities in Hamm officially began on Tuesday with a symbolic turning of the first sod. Construction machinery has now moved onto the 12-hectare site.
The land will first be prepared before construction of the main sports complex begins in autumn. This initial phase is expected to cost around €16 million.
Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer said the project was urgently needed, particularly as a replacement for the Josy Barthel stadium. The aim is to complete the new facilities in Hamm by 2029, when Luxembourg is due to host the Games of the Small States of Europe.
The complex is set to include an athletics stadium with eight running lanes, a training track, a sports hall covering almost 12,800 square metres, and a park spanning more than 1.5 hectares. More than €110 million have been allocated in the City of Luxembourg budget for this second phase of construction.
The Luxembourg City Greens (Déi Gréng) have criticised the project. François Benoy, co-president of The Greens, said that while they do not dispute the need for new sports facilities, they argue that the municipal council and Hamm residents were not sufficiently involved in the planning process.
Benoy believes further improvements are needed, particularly regarding mobility and traffic.
Polfer pointed to planned traffic-calming measures and pledged that the impact on the neighbourhood would be kept to a minimum.
Provided the project remains on schedule, the first athletes should be able to use the facilities in spring 2029. The complex is intended not only to provide better conditions for athletes and sports clubs, but also to enable Luxembourg to host international competitions.
Link: full press dossier.
