End of an Era
The future of University Sports is being built at Königshügel
After 61 years, the Königshügel Sports Hall Complex at RWTH’s University Sports Center (HSZ) hosted the last sports events in summer. The hall was steeped in many memories and emotions for the participants. But space is now being created for a new, modern, sports building, which is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
A Farewell to “Kontakthüpfen”
The Sports Hall Complex was at the heart of University Sports in Aachen for decades. Over the 61 years, there was much dancing, laughter, sweat, and tears in the tall four walls. They also bore witness to regular sports courses, exciting competitions, and breathtaking events, such as the University Sports Show.
However, this popular and much loved sports hall is now history, as a modern replacement building will be constructed on the same site. But before the heart of the University Sports Center was torn apart, one last big event took place: The Last Dance.
The hall came alive one final time with classic “Kontakthüpfen” and ballroom dancing classes. Around 800 participants exercised and danced in the hall one last time to bid farewell to the space that had shaped university sports for decades.
For many, the hall is a strong reminder of their studies or working lives. Many alums have particularly fond memories of the Fitness with Music class, better known as “Kontakthüpfen”.
To commemorate these experiences in the hall, the parquet floor that was demolished was resold in unique memorabilia pieces. The HSZ implemented the project together with the Student Sports Affairs Office and the Institute for Laser Technology (ILT). The net proceeds of the campaign, amounting to 6,161 euros, were donated to the international organization “Right to Play”, which offers children in crisis areas some respite from their everyday life in the form of sports and games.
In the meantime, the sports and event program is still running thanks to creative solutions. The sports courses will be held in an interim building at Königshügel until the new hall is completed. This temporary sports facility has a large sports hall and three smaller multifunctional halls. The popular University Sports Show, which traditionally took place in the Königshügel Sports Hall, had a new location in 2024, with the participating sports groups giving impressive performances on the stage of the Aachen Theater.
New Sports Hall Will Be a Central Hub for University Sports
From May 2023, the beloved sports hall was gradually demolished piece by piece: first the facade, then the window front, the outer walls, and finally the roof. Six months later, in December 2023, there was nothing left of the old hall and construction of the excavation pit began. The pit is currently being dug, as the new building will have some different features, for example, the hall will be lower down. This will be more pleasant for many sports classes, as the sun will no longer be shining in peoples’ eyes. Further, as a central hub for university sports, the hall is set to have a service desk for all questions and queries to be answered directly.
There will still be the same number of sports halls, with one large hall and three smaller multifunctional halls and the new complex features shorter distances than the old hall.
Overall, the new complex will have a new, modern look. The hall is due to be completed in mid-2025. The HSZ is delighted with the new replacement building, even if more space is needed due to continuing demand. Immediately after the completion of the new hall, further construction work will also be carried out at Königshügel, which will affect the cage soccer boxes, the beach volleyball courts, and the basketball courts.
– Authors: Laura Sobczyk, Hedda Faber, Peter Lynen
From Floor to Furniture: The Journey of Baukreisel's Recycled Gym Parquet
The Baukreisel Collective has also been busy in the former Königshügel hall. The organization saved part of the iconic gym floor thanks to the support of University Sports.
“Baukreisel” is a collective for transformation and design, focusing on reusing building components in order to transform the construction industry in a sustainable and circular way. The collective works on projects in teaching, consulting, research, project development, architecture, and furniture design. Most of the active members studied architecture at RWTH and founded the collective together in 2022.
With steel frames from the gym and help from local carpenters, the high-quality oak parquet floor has been refurnished into a dining table, an example of aesthetically pleasing recycling.
If you would like to find out more about the project, you can find all the information on the Baukreisel website.
– Author: Christian Roth
The parquet from the sports hall was refurnished into a table. Photo: Baukreisel e.V.