ÖFB Campus in Vienna-Aspern is "On Schedule"
"We are on schedule, we are on budget. This is a really, really great thing," ÖFB President Wolfgang Bartosch rejoiced. The buildings are to be handed over by the general contractor Strabag on July 22, with the first test courses at the ÖFB campus in Vienna-Aspern planned for the fall.
ÖFB Campus in Vienna-Aspern "the historically largest infrastructure project of the ÖFB"
The relocation of the ÖFB office to the new office spaces in the Seestadt is to take place in the winter. Next spring, the men's national team is also expected to train and reside there for the first time. In the urban development area in the east of Vienna, on a total area of 55,000 square meters, alongside the office including seminar and event rooms, a small stadium with 980 covered seats, three additional grass pitches, an artificial turf pitch, locker rooms, and functional rooms are being developed. Additionally, there will be a total of 48 rooms for the players.
"It is the historically largest infrastructure project of the ÖFB and above all, it is a common home," said Bartosch. "For the ÖFB, this is a milestone." So far, the football association has been positioned in the last third of Europe in this area. "Now I am sure, we are in the fast lane - and will land at the forefront with this campus."
Windtner as a Pioneer for ÖFB Campus in Vienna-Aspern
The shell of the building is standing, and the roof structure of the buildings has been erected. At the topping-out ceremony, prominent figures from politics and business were also present - including former ÖFB presidents Friedrich Stickler and Leo Windtner, who initiated the major project with a fundamental decision in the last presidency meeting he led in October 2021. Since then, two of his successors, Gerhard Milletich and Klaus Mitterdorfer, have bid farewell after internal power struggles within the association.
Vienna's City Councilor for Sports, Peter Hacker (SPÖ), recalled the exchange with Windtner: "In 2019, we sat in a tavern and brainstormed the first ideas." Setting up a project of this magnitude is not a walk in the park, but a long process. "This is not done over a schnitzel or a coffee." Persuasion was needed in several directions. In the end, the city of Vienna and the federal government each contributed 23.14 million euros. The ÖFB itself is covering a little more than a third of the total costs of 72 to 75 million euros.
Hacker emphasized that the project is coming together without cost overruns. "We are convinced that it will have a long-term impact. It enriches the district, our city, but also our national team. That is the core purpose of such a center." However, ÖFB team coach Ralf Rangnick was not present at the topping-out ceremony, contrary to initial announcements.
Alaba and Co. with Initial Feedback for ÖFB Campus in Vienna-Aspern
The leading players David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic, Xaver Schlager, Konrad Laimer, Christoph Baumgartner, and Michael Gregoritsch, who are preparing for the play-off first leg for a return to League A of the Nations League against Serbia on Thursday, took a look at the site shortly before the event. Initial requests for the setup of the 280 square meter player lounge with a terrace were also made. "The first impression was very positive," said captain Alaba. "We also discussed a lot in the short time about what could be improved, what could be optimized." The project is important for Austrian football.
Alaba and Co. are expected to stay at the ÖFB Campus during future training camps. If multiple teams want to use the facility simultaneously, according to the association, members of the younger youth selections will be accommodated in a nearby hotel. Women's team coach Alexander Schriebl was pleased with the short distances. "All the coaches from all the national teams are here. You can quickly engage in constructive exchanges," explained the Salzburg native. In this respect, the competence center could be a "piece of the puzzle" on the way to the targeted 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
For the ÖFB men, this year is about qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The preparation for the tournament in North America could already take place in Vienna's Donaustadt if the Rangnick team is successful. The 22nd district is not only the largest in terms of area but also, since last year, the largest in terms of population in the federal capital.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.