Replacement sports complex Königshügel celebrates topping-out ceremony

Construction of the new replacement building on Königshügel is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025. The university sports center should be able to move into the new sports hall complex for the 2026 summer semester. Around 100 guests gathered on the construction site at the university sports center for the topping-out ceremony on 16 January 2025. The traditional topping-out crown hung over the heads of the guests as the master carpenter read the topping-out speech at the top of the scaffolding and then smashed the glass to the ground - because broken glass is known to bring good luck.

A sports complex for the future

The new sports complex should be a place for living, for the community and, of course, for sport. Mayor Sibylle Keupen emphasizes the importance of a durable and sustainable construction. A green roof and the connection to the district heating network of RWTH Aachen University are just some of the aspects that were decided in the interests of sustainability, explained Gabriele Willems, Managing Director of Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW.

Never Forget - Königshügel sports hall

The Rector of RWTH Aachen University, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Rüdiger, was also on site and brought along a piece of the old floor of the former sports hall. The “Never Forget - Sporthalle Königshügel” project preserves the memories of the Aachen sports hall complex, which was demolished after 61 years. For a good cause, limited edition floor pieces of the hall were refurbished and sold as high-quality memorabilia with engraving to keep the special moments and stories of this place alive. Prof. Dr. Rüdiger also played sports in the old sports hall on Königshügel during his studies at RWTH, he said.

The HSZ is delighted with the successful topping-out ceremony and is looking forward to the next steps until the completion of the sports complex on Königshügel.