The alternative plans of Lustenauer Austria to play their home games in the state capital are a source of discussion. City Councilor Michael Felder welcomes the project, Vice Mayor Sandra Schoch is critical of it.
In terms of sport, the green-whites from Lustenau can look back on a successful weekend after the home win against the violets from Vienna. The search for an alternative for Austria during their new stadium construction continues to cause headaches.
Ongoing talks with Bregenz on the alternative stadium
After the categorical no from Altach, the stickers are in constructive exchange with those responsible from Bregenz, as sports councilor Michael Felder VOL.AT confirms.
City Councilor Michael Felder: “We are positive about the plans”
“We are in an intensive exchange, both the city of Bregenz and the SW Bregenz association are trying to find a solution that is feasible for everyone. Personally, I have a positive attitude towards the project, as I believe that everyone and the association in particular can benefit from the value chain We are currently clarifying which detailed requirements would have to be met so that the Lustenauer could give their best Bundesliga football in Bregenz,” said Felder. A sticking point, for example, remains the lack of lawn heating. The other Bundesliga clubs would have to agree to a special permit, which Austria President Bernd Bösch is busy with.
Sports councilor Michael Felder.
©City of Bregenz
A well thought-out mobility concept is also important in order to be able to transport the number of fans, also in the sense of a climate-friendly way: “Here we are also in good spirits, aiming for a solution, e.g. with special trains. But in terms of cooperation, we want Austria as much as possible,” concludes the Bregenz City Councilor for Sport.
Football fans not a relevant target group for the city of Bregenz?
Deputy Mayor Sandra Schoch sees the whole thing critically. She clearly sees the direction of the city in the area of art and culture, questions the capacities and whether the football fan clientele should look to Bregenz at all.
Deputy Mayor Sandra Schoch.
©City of Bregenz
“We’re starting to have to ask ourselves whether the city can stand these crowds at all. That’s why a mobility concept is elementary. Of course we support sport, but with the expansion of the stadium the city council decided that for the time being it was just a matter of approval and the Specifications for the second division are turning. Bregenz is reaching its capacity limits, the lake facilities are also popular with families. We slowly have to think about which target groups we want to address. And I refer to the situation during the pandemic, when numerous young people used the pipeline to celebrate there and dodge. That also caused problems, “explains the Green politician.
Sandra Schoch: “Altach blockade due to personal differences”
The signal from Altach not to make the arena available for Austria also caused her incomprehension: “It simply cannot be the case that a stadium that was financed with tax money and represents all of Vorarlberg is blocked due to personal differences between individual officials . Intensive discussions are needed here, perhaps also with mediators.”
Bernd Bösch and the Austria board are optimistic.
©Stiplovsek
Bösch: “We remain optimistic and want to allay fears”
Austria board member Bernd Bösch assesses the fears as unfounded: “I don’t think that Bregenz would be overwhelmed with the expected crowds, especially since the stadium would not reach its capacity limits. We will try to find a joint solution with the league in the spring to get a game permit, even without pitch heating, and to meet all the requirements. But I’m cautiously optimistic here. I think the further fears about the rush of fans to the state capital are exaggerated and can certainly be resolved in the form of talks.”
