Laying the foundation stone: New sports hall in Wolfenbüttel for everyone!

Laying the foundation stone: New sports hall in Wolfenbüttel for everyone!

On July 1, 2025, an important step towards modern sports infrastructure was taken in Wolfenbüttel: the foundation stone for a new sports and exercise hall on the Ostfalia University campus was ceremoniously laid. The guests included numerous prominent representatives, such as Thorsten Drahn, the first city councilor, and Dr. Sandra Roddewig from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture, both of whom emphasized the essential role of this new hall for the region. Dr. Roddewig emphasized that the hall will not only promote education and health promotion, but also focus on inclusion and sustainability.

Professor Julia Siegmüller, President of Ostfalia, said that the new hall represents a valuable upgrade to the Wolfenbüttel campus. With a generous area of ​​1,500 square meters, the hall is designed for various purposes: In addition to a sports hall, there will also be space for strength and gymnastics rooms, office space and a seminar room. Completion is planned for the end of 2026, with move-in scheduled for the turn of the year 2026/2027.

Focus on accessibility and inclusion

A central element of the planning is the accessibility of the new sports hall. This is intended to ensure that people with disabilities can participate in sport on an equal basis. According to that German Disabled Sports Association Barrier-free access to sports facilities and events is essential to promote inclusion in sport. Breaking down barriers not only requires structural measures, but also a change in social attitudes in order to reduce prejudices and eliminate fear of contact.

As part of the project, a photovoltaic system will also be installed on the roof, which will contribute to the company's own electricity supply. In addition, energy is supplied via the university's local heating network, which is being converted to renewable energy sources. This shows that sustainability is also an important aspect in the design of the new sports hall.

Cooperation and use

Thanks to the flexible use of the new hall, it will be possible to allocate free hall times to local clubs, kindergartens and company sports groups. This means that various groups in the region can benefit from the offerings, which strengthens the connection between the university and society. In addition to traditional sports activities, special programs for people with disabilities are also offered to make physical activity accessible to everyone.

With a total cost of 13.15 million euros, of which 5 million euros come from the Lower Saxony Ministry and 8.15 million euros from the university's reserves, a comprehensive and sustainable concept for the sports infrastructure in Wolfenbüttel will be created. Sport is intended to contribute to shared movement and togetherness, making the “One Hall for All” project truly a reality. This is also documented by the work of Frederik Bükers, who addresses the dismantling of barriers in sports halls in his essay Fachportal Pedagogy.