The Sum of All Good Ideas

On the outskirts of Berlin, in Ahrensfelde, a model example of sustainable sports facility construction has emerged. The sports complex of SV Ahrensfelde demonstrates what is possible in terms of sustainability even with existing facilities. What sets this sports complex apart from others is the holistic approach the club has pursued. These ideas gained prominent supporters, such as the Northeast German Football Association.But what makes Ahrensfelde so special? The decision-makers knew that they needed to replace one of their three football fields. The natural grass side field required renovation. Moreover, weather-related closures repeatedly caused training sessions to be canceled. They opted for a much more durable artificial turf field as a solution. However, that wasn't all—the running track around the main field also needed renewal. For both the football field and the track, the Ahrensfelde team opted for the most ecological solutions possible, which not only maintained but enhanced sports operations. For example, the climate-neutral artificial turf LigaTurf Cross GT^zero is largely made from renewable raw materials. The surface is water-permeable, with drainage water filtered through layers below the turf and surface water purified by mineral filters. Nearly 390,000 liters of water are no longer required annually for irrigating the old field—in fact, quite the opposite. Soil pollution is reduced as well, due to the elimination of fertilizers and herbicides. For the track, a product made from at least 80% recycled materials was chosen. Additionally, a binder was used that removes CO₂ from the atmosphere during production. An energy-saving LED floodlight system and a waste-separation concept were also implemented as part of the measures. The ecological approach taken by Ahrensfelde is further exemplified by compensatory areas, which have been planted as orchards and meadows, providing food and new habitats for endangered species. This additionally contributes to the CO₂-balance. Another key aspect in Ahrensfelde was the topic of digitization. Timing gates were installed in both the track and the new artificial turf field, forming the basis for a state-of-the-art performance diagnostics system. Athletes, equipped with a sensor or alternatively a smartphone, can measure, document, and analyze their training progress with Polytan SMART. The SV Ahrensfelde sports complex proves that it is already possible to design a modern sports facility in a highly sustainable way. It is the sum of all the ideas from the individual partners that makes this facility one of the most ecological of its kind in Germany.