Minister President Hendrik Wüst and Lord Mayor Thomas Eiskirch were on hand when the ‘new old stadium’ - with space for 16,400 spectators - reopened. Thomas Eiskirch explained in a welcoming speech on the stadium pitch: "The stadium is a huge gain. What has been created here has influence" - emphasising the importance of the modernised stadium, which has been made fit for the future, for the entire region. The thoughtful preservation of existing structures and the sensitive use of new components have given the Lohrheidestadion a consistent identity. It is the only sports venue in NRW where German outdoor athletics championships can be held. And the Lohrheidestadion is also a pioneer in many respects: energy self-sufficient thanks to the photovoltaic systems on the roofs, resource-saving thanks to the use of rainwater and geothermal energy, and comfortable thanks to the complete roofing of the stands. The north and south stands are covered for the first time, the roof of the east stand has been renewed and the west stand has been completely rebuilt.
