Germany’s FC Bayern München laid the foundation stone for a new sports complex at the Ingolstädter Strasse site in the north of Munich on October 16. The complex will also house an elite youth academy, eight soccer pitches, an office building, a mini-stadium for 2,500 spectators and gym.
Speaking to the media, club president Karl Hopfner said, “I am convinced this will be a milestone in the history of FC Bayern. We have some catching up to do in comparison with other major European clubs. That’s exactly why we’re doing this now!”
Hopfner was joined by FCB chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, architect Prof Albert Speer, Mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter and mayor of the district of Oberschleißheim Christian Kuchlbauer for the ceremonial start of construction at the site. FC Bayern has budgeted an investment of around €70 million for the new facility.
The complex is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2017/18 season and will incorporate eight football pitches, including a 2,500 capacity stadium, the youth academy, a headquarters building with office space and a multi-purpose sports hall. “It’ll be full steam ahead as of 2017,” Rummenigge declared after the foundation stone ceremony.