Union's Stadium Expansion Unyielding Regardless of League Position
Stadionbetriebs AG, operating at "An der Alten Försterei," reported a considerable profit of EUR 58,263 in the 2022/2023 financial year, as shared at their Annual General Meeting. This figure reverses the previous net loss, now reported at a substantial EUR 2.821 million.
Oskar Kosche, a Management Board member, addressed the AG meeting in place of CEO Dirk Thieme, who was unwell. Kosche acknowledged the stable financial situation of the AG, emphasizing the company's consistently strong asset structure and positive earnings predictions for the current fiscal year.
The expansion of the stadium to hold over 37,000 seats, first planned in summer 2017, has been under consideration. The construction of a clubhouse and parking facility on the stadium site is set to commence beforehand.
Dirk Zingler, head of the supervisory board, addressed the team's disappointing Bundesliga run, with no wins in 14 games. However, he promised, regardless of the division status, the stadium would be transformed into a modern Bundesliga venue.
"Irrespective of whether our team competes in the first or second league," Zingler asserted, "we will convert the arena into a cutting-edge Bundesliga facility." He added, "We won't allow our 14-game streak without a win to drive us to despair."
Insights
Despite the team's present ranking in the Bundesliga, the progress of 1.FC Union Berlin's "Stadion An der Alten Försterei" stage 1 redevelopment plan has been accomplished. Remarkably, a vast 49,000 shares were subscribed for during the three-month period for the club's holding company, Stadionbetriebs AG. With a share capital of more than EUR 30 million, the club is well-positioned for future advancements.
The expansion aim for the stadium places capacity at 40,500 spectators; the construction phase is scheduled to commence in the summer of 2026. Fans played a significant part in the stadium's initial construction, contributing over 2,300 volunteers and 140,000 labor hours between 2008 and 2009.
The team's ongoing struggles in the Bundesliga have not deterred the stadium's redevelopment, which remains a promising step towards a modernized Union Bundesliga arena.
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