Jerusalem Housing Plan Threatens Beitar Jerusalem Soccer Club Training Grounds
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
A plan to build a new residential neighborhood on the training grounds of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club is set for discussion next week. The proposal would reduce the club's three existing fields to just one, severely impacting its youth and senior teams. Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio warned the plan would "destroy the Beitar Jerusalem association" and urged its rejection, stating "money must not defeat sport."
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A housing development plan threatens Beitar Jerusalem's soccer club training grounds in Beit Vagan.
- The plan would reduce the club's three fields to only one usable grass field.
- Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio stated the plan would "destroy the Beitar Jerusalem association."
- The proposal includes 1,651 housing units and commercial areas.
- The District Planning Committee will discuss the plan next week.
A plan to build a residential neighborhood on the training grounds of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club in Beit Vagan, Jerusalem, could severely impact the club's operations. The proposal, known as "Emek Zion New Quarter," is being advanced by the Israel Land Authority and includes 1,651 housing units, commercial and employment areas, and additional construction for Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Currently, the site features three training fields used by the senior team, youth divisions, and for youth matches. If approved, the plan would leave only one grass field for youth training, with another non-standard field proposed on the roof of a commercial building half a kilometer away.
Yossi Havilio, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and head of the Sports portfolio, stated that approving the plan would "destroy the Beitar Jerusalem association." He emphasized that Jerusalem has a shortage of soccer fields and that the existing three fields are essential for the club and other Jerusalem football teams. Havilio urged that "money must not defeat sport" and called for the plan's rejection, as there is no suitable alternative for the club's current facilities. The plan is scheduled for discussion by the District Planning Committee next week.
