The construction of the stadium in retrospect
Following the promotion of Chemnitzer FC, Mayor Barbara Ludwig and Chemnitzer FC announced the plans for a new stadium on Gellertstraße. Five months later, the city council of Chemnitz passed a resolution in favour of the new building. This set the project in motion.
The starting signal for the construction phase was given on 27 January 2014, when Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig presented a football to CFC CEO Dr Mathias Hänel as a symbolic baton. In addition to Barbara Ludwig and the CFC CEO, nine other people conveyed their wishes for a sky-blue future in the new "living room". With a spirited shot, CFC B youth player Rico Tänzer was the last in the group to give the starting signal for the demolition work on the south stand, which then began immediately.
In March 2014, the partial demolition of the railway depot next to the stadium is well advanced. The south stand of the stadium has already been completely demolished. The dismantling of the north stand is in its final stages. The foundations for the north and south stands were laid in May 2014. In August 2014, fans were able to take to the South Stand for the DFB Cup match and create a great atmosphere. The main stand was demolished in October 2014. At the same time, preparations were made for the construction of the East Stand. The final demolition work took place in January 2015 and the roofing of the fully seated East Stand was completed in April 2015. Work began on the foundations and concrete for the main stand. The east stand was inaugurated in August 2015 during the match against Hansa Rostock. Installation of the supports and grandstand slabs was completed on the west stand.
Most of the "fan scarf" was installed in February 2016. This special component wraps around the façade of the main building as a design element, creating an emotional connection between the arena and visitors.
Almost all of the construction work was completed by May 2016. All the seats were installed, the monitor screen fitted and camera platforms for the TV broadcasts installed. The access roads and car parks were completed.
Now, after a construction period of just over two years, the stadium can be officially opened on 18 June with the stadium open day at 11 am.
More photos of the stadium construction: www.chemnitz.de/stadion
FACTS AND FIGURES
Construction time
05 October 2011:
Chemnitz city council confirms basic decision to rebuild
14 November 2012:
City confirmed as developer for new stadium on Gellertstraße
16 September 2013:
City awarded contract to general contractor bidding consortium BAM Sports GmbH Düsseldorf and BAM Deutschland AG Stuttgart
10 October 2013:
General contractor and stadium architect present stadium designs
27 January 2014:
Symbolic ground-breaking ceremony at the stadium on Gellertstraße
7 October 2015:
Topping-out ceremony for the stadium on Gellertstraße
18 June 2016:
Opening of the stadium "Kick-off - Day of the open stadium gates"
Seating capacity:
15,479 seats, including 1,412 seats for home fans, 4094 in the east stand (Gegengerade), 5,300 standing places in the south stand, 2.469 in the west stand (main stand), 162 box seats and 837 business seats and 60 wheelchair spaces with 60 accompanying seats.
Client:
City of Chemnitz
Subcontractor:
General contractor BAM Sports commissioned 53 subcontractors with partial services.
The majority of the contracts were awarded to companies in the region: 34 companies come from the Chemnitz area and Saxony.
