The Westfalenhalle 1, one of the most traditional event venues in Germany, is expanding its seating capacity. The event centre Westfalenhallen GmbH has received planning permission for the correspond-ing conversion work. The capacity of the hall will rise in two steps by a total of up to 1,380 seats. The work started on Wednesday, 13th July, the first phase of work is to be completed by mid-September.
The Westfalenhallen are making use of the visitor-weak summer period to expand their “golden egg”. The second part of the construction work will take place in summer 2012. Afterwards, the new maximum capacity of 15,380 spectators will be reached. Using a stage in front, as used for example for most rock concerts, some 13,000 people will fit in. The Westfalenhalle 1 will then provide space for around 5,500 standing guests and will then belong to one of the arenas with the largest capacity in Europe.
For Jochen Meschke, managing director of the Veranstaltungszentrum Westfalenhallen GmbH, the work is all part of a bundle of measures designed to strengthen the position of the legendary Dortmund event hall against the competition. “This also includes the equipment of a further event lounge featuring an exclusive balcony”, he explains. The mall, which is the gallery on the ground floor, will also be generously expanded, by moving some stalls into niches. And additional dressing rooms and more emergency exits will also be established. Recently, the hall 1 also had a new air conditioning fitted.
The expansion of the visitor capacity goes along with an expansion of the velodrome. Until now, the curves of the track were firmly installed in the hall. “Nevertheless, we are keeping an open mind”, said Meschke. Cycling could also take place on a rental track - provided, of course, that it becomes sufficiently attractive as an arena event again.
As the obstruction from the velodrome, in particular due to the hydraulic doors is eliminated, the assembly and disassembly for events in the Große Westfalenhalle will be much easier in the future. The enlargement of the usable space in the interior will also increase the attractiveness of events such as the ADAC Supercross, or the Signal Iduna Cup horse show. There is simply more space available.
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