Hans-Bretz-Stadion

Have you ever heard of a stadium being built ahead of schedule thanks to a generous citizen? The Hans-Bretz-Stadion, right here in Ettlingen’s Sportpark “Am Baggerloch”, has just such a story. Originally, the municipality had planned its construction for 2025. But Hans Bretz, a local citizen and patron, stepped in with an investor model and a substantial donation. This allowed the project to commence in 2017, bringing the new Hans-Bretz-Stadion to life much sooner than anticipated. The old grandstand was closed to spectators in 2008. This new Hans-Bretz-Stadion isn’t just for show. It’s a multifunctional hub designed for various users, primarily serving athletics and school sports. The stadium boasts a capacity of 10,000 and is equipped to handle larger, supra-regional events and championships. Its former name was Albgaustadion im Sportpark Ettlingen. The architecture of the Hans-Bretz-Stadion reflects its dual purpose: catering to athletes and spectators. The ground floor and split-level basement house facilities for athletes, including changing rooms, showers, and a weight room. The upper floor is for the public, with restrooms, a kiosk, a well-equipped multipurpose room for smaller events, and, of course, the grandstand. The stadium’s design is quite unique. Red boxes, housing facilities for the grandstand, rise from a solid concrete base. A distinctive free-standing roof structure covers the entire ensemble. This roof, supported by external concrete pillars, offers flexibility for future modifications or expansions of the upper floor. The Hans-Bretz-Stadion’s construction also showcases innovative techniques. The entire structure was prefabricated. The exterior walls, made of “thermo-walls” with inner core insulation and a protective concrete outer shell, are built to withstand even the most enthusiastic displays of sporting emotions. The roof is a marvel of engineering, featuring eight curved, articulated steel trusses. These trusses, arranged radially towards the center of the playing field, were based on freehand curves and optimized for structural integrity. Even the concrete supports for the roof trusses were aesthetically designed and cleverly conceal all the necessary piping and wiring. The Hans-Bretz-Stadion stands as a testament to the power of community and innovative design, a vibrant space for sport and culture right here in Ettlingen.