New sports field in Naundorf: community wins funding competition!

New sports field in Naundorf: community wins funding competition!

The community of Naundorf near Oschatz is happy about a real stroke of luck: a new sports field is becoming a reality thanks to this pioneering funding. The situation was anything but rosy until a year ago, because the old sports field, not far from the Protestant work school and opposite a gas station, was badly damaged. The running track, sprint track, inrun of the long jump pit and the playing field, which were equipped with synthetic surfaces in the 1990s, suffered from the effects of the weather and a lack of maintenance. The roots of trees also caused uneven surfaces. The cost estimates for a renovation amounted to up to 800,000 euros, which the municipality could not afford without external funding. But the chances are good: With the end of coal mining in the central German region, funding has been promised that will enable Naundorf to stick to this larger project.

Last year, the community took part in a competition run by the Climate Competence Center at LfULG to present sustainable ideas. Both the first concept for the sports field and this year's participation, in which a more sophisticated project for a "blue-green generational sports field" was submitted, pursued the goal of offering the community a modern and natural sports area. The result: Naundorf is one of the three winners out of a total of 18 entries submitted in the Leipzig area, which secures valuable financial resources for the community.
As the lvz.de reported, the construction cost for the renewal of the running track and sprint track, which will be made of a water-permeable material, will be around 65,000 euros. These costs are covered by the LfULG, which also handles the tendering and awarding of the contract, so that the community receives the finished object as a donation.

Community and sport in focus

Sports facilities are not only important for sporting activities, they also promote social interaction. The aim of the investment pact that the federal and state governments have launched is therefore clear: it is about strengthening the health of the population and creating places that promote social cohesion. Local events and sports play a key role in stimulating the social climate. “A proper sports facility is part of public services,” agrees the mayor, who is optimistic that the project for the running and sprint track will be realized by 2026 at the latest.

The factory school is also on the ball: it has equipped itself with a lawn tractor to keep the new sports field in good condition. Furthermore, the community has already applied for funding for a small sports field from the leader region “Sächsisches Zweistromland-Ostelbien”, and the positive preliminary decision has been received. However, the final decision in the district office is still pending. Around 60,000 euros of own funds must also be planned for in the budget for 2026.

If everything goes according to plan, this initiative will not only provide Naundorf with a gentle but also environmentally conscious sports field that will bring joy to generations of sports enthusiasts. Those responsible have certainly shown a good hand and in the future every day of training will be a reason to celebrate!