The old Glückauf-Tiefbau colliery site in Dortmund-Hombruch, which was shut down in 1925, had long been used by residents as a green space and leisure facility. In order to make the area more attractive and versatile, it was extended by around 10,000 m² over a two-year planning and conversion period and transformed into one of the largest multifunctional facilities in Europe.

The result is an impressive 20,000 m² facility with an extensive range of uses for recreational and professional athletes who are active on BMX, skateboards, scooters, inline or roller skates or in MTB wheelchairs, for example. Soccer, volleyball, curling and roller skating are all possible on a multifunctional field. For calisthenics, where the focus is on bodyweight exercises, an individual course was created. The Cologne-based firm Maier Landschaftsarchitektur planned the facility and, with its owner Ralf Maier, not only brought professional expertise to the table, but also a great deal of personal passion. He himself comes from the BMX sport and has been German champion and world champion. His office specializes in the planning of bike and skate facilities worldwide. All sports areas were designed so that they can be used by beginners to professionals, (small) children and young people as well as people with disabilities. Special attention was paid to making many sports elements and obstacles accessible and usable with a wheelchair. They were also developed in the various skate park areas in such a way that they challenge users to learn new tricks in a progressive way with similar obstacles but different heights and lengths. It was also important to zone the different uses and areas in such a way that no one obstructs or endangers each other. From the terraced viewing hill, there is a panoramic view of the site, which also offers green and recreational areas in addition to the sports-specific facilities. The architecture makes reference to the region, where mining and industry predominated. For example, the railings were designed in the shape of a coal mine winding wheel, while the industrial look is provided by walls that were colored using concrete printing with a brick look. The facility, which opened in August this year, is not yet fully completed. Pole lights will be installed soon and the tree plants will have to wait for the planting season in the fall. The shrubs and tree varieties have been selected to suit current climatic conditions and the location.

www.betonlandschaften.de

Photos:

Maier Landscape Architecture
www.maierlandschaftsarchitektur.de

(Published in CUBE Ruhr Area 03|22)