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Client story
Fit for the big leagues
The road to the new SV Darmstadt 98 stadium
Fans of SV Darmstadt 98 had been waiting four long years for this moment:
with the inauguration of the main stand, the refurbishment of the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor stadium is now complete. FPS assisted the club throughout
the entire refurbishment. Here is a pitchside report.
Video: Fit for the big leagues
As the officials lead the football teams of SV Darmstadt 98 and Young Boys Bern onto the pitch, the fans greet them with waving flags, loud chants and impressive tifos, while the floodlights illuminate the bitterly cold winter night. The atmosphere could be mistaken for that of a European cup match. And yet, it is just a friendly. That said, it is a game that has been a long time coming for the fans of SV Darmstadt 98. Their beloved Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor had to be refurbished, which had restricted their ability to cheer on their team in recent years.
The club chose the match against Young Boys from Bern, a team with which SV Darmstadt 98 maintains a close relationship, for the inauguration of the new main stand, which at the same time marks the end of the exterior work. This occasion is a major cause for celebration, which no fans of the ‘Lilies’ wanted to miss out on. Thousands of them have braved the sub-zero temperatures in the middle of December and made their way to the stadium hours before kick-off, together with their fellow supporters from the Swiss capital.
Thanks to the excellent support and expertise provided by FPS, we were easily able to overcome the legal challenges presented by the refurbishment of the Merck-Stadion.
One of the 10,000 or so spectators is Florian Wiesner. As a young boy, he stood on the terraces opposite the main stand to cheer on his team. Today, Wiesner is not only there as a fan, but also in his role as a partner at FPS. Why? Because as a specialist lawyer for construction law, he supported SV Darmstadt 98 in legal matters throughout the refurbishment. And it was no easy task: the stadium had been in place for over a hundred years. ‘The old stadium was revered by fans, but it had grown dilapidated over time,’ says Wiesner.
‘The modernisation was urgently needed in order to remain licensed by the German Football League (DFL),’ confirms Rüdiger Fritsch, President of SV Darmstadt 98. The DFL’s requirements are strict, and the rules for stadiums run to almost a hundred pages. Topics such as fire protection, escape routes, but also places for TV cameras, specifications for floodlights and the minimum number of toilets are clearly defined. The legal advice from Wiesner and his FPS team also helped SV Darmstadt 98 to comply with all these criteria during the refurbishment.
9000
standing and seating places are provided by the new grandstand
1921
the year, when Bölle was built in its original version
100
%
green energy is used in Bölle
Reaching the goal together
The modernisation of the Merck-Stadion and its facilities was a four-year project. It goes without saying that such a large and protracted project will not run entirely smoothly, says Fritsch. ‘The difficulties in the construction industry and the disrupted supply chains brought about by the pandemic made our work more difficult. It was definitely not the best time for a project like this. That is why we were often in contact with FPS.’ Wiesner and his team helped the club with many questions relating to public procurement law, private and public building law and heritable building rights, as well as building permit procedures.
Wiesner and his team helped the club with many questions relating to public procurement law, private and public building law and heritable building rights, as well as building permit procedures.i
’The construction of sports facilities is complex and diverse,’ explains the specialist lawyer.’ The experience we have built up at FPS helps us advise our clients.‘ He and his team had previously advised on the modernisation of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and both the Merkur Arena in Düsseldorf and the Deutsch Bank Park in Frankfurt.’ Thanks to the excellent support and expertise provided by FPS, we were easily able to overcom the legal challenfes presented by the refurbishment of the Merck-Stadion,‘ Fritsch says in summary.
Out of love for tradition
The fact that tradition played a central role in this major project is demonstrated by the choice of location: although other parts of the city would be more advantageous for logistical reasons, in consultation with FPS, the city and the club decided to remain at Böllenfalltor. Why? Because the ‘Bölle’ – as the Merck-Stadion is affectionately referred to by fans – has been the home of SV Darmstadt 98 and its supporters for decades. And, thanks to the modernisation, it will remain so for a long time to come.
The euphoria during the friendly against Young Boys Bern proves how much the fans had missed their home. All four stands get behind both teams for the full 90 minutes. ‘For me personally, it was the best friendly match of my career. That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,’ said match-winner Philipp Tietz, who bagged a brace. But the 2-0 win for the ‘Lilies’ is not the main cause for celebration today. After the final whistle, both teams go to their fans to sing and jump arm in arm.
I am glad FPS has contributed to the preservation of this traditional location. I am deeply emotionally connected to the club because I was born in Darmstadt and still live here. I’ve been coming to the stadium all my life, and I probably always will.
The enthusiasm shown here makes it abundantly clear: the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor is more than just a football stadium. It is part of the culture of Darmstadt. ‘I am glad FPS has contributed to the preservation of this traditional location,’ says Florian Wiesner. ‘I am deeply emotionally connected to the club because I was born in Darmstadt and still live here. I’ve been coming to the stadium all my life, and I probably always will.’
Text: Domenico Colucci
Images: Jens Lindemann
Florian Wiesner
Managing Partner