Jerusalem Municipality Opposes Beitar Jerusalem Training Ground Redevelopment
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
The Jerusalem Municipality is opposing a construction plan by the Israel Land Authority that would redevelop the Beit Vagan training grounds used by Beitar Jerusalem. The municipality claims the plan inadequately replaces the existing facilities, potentially harming the soccer club and its youth teams. Mayor Moshe Lion and Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio have publicly opposed the plan, calling for alternatives. Past controversies involving the training grounds and former owner Moshe Hogeg are also noted.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Jerusalem Municipality opposes Israel Land Authority's "Emek Zion" plan for Beit Vagan training grounds.
- The plan includes 1,500 housing units and expansion of Shaare Zedek Medical Center.
- Municipality claims the plan inadequately replaces existing soccer training facilities.
- Mayor Moshe Lion and Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio publicly oppose the development.
- The dispute could harm Beitar Jerusalem's operations and youth teams.
- Past controversies involved former owner Moshe Hogeg and land deals.
The Jerusalem Municipality is opposing the "Emek Zion" construction plan, promoted by the Israel Land Authority (ILA), which threatens the training facilities of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club and its youth departments in Beit Vagan. The municipality argues that the plan, which includes building approximately 1,500 housing units, commercial areas, and expanding Shaare Zedek Medical Center on a 194-dunam site near Highway 16 and Begin Road, fails to provide adequate solutions for the existing training grounds.
According to the plan, only one training field would remain in Beit Vagan, a second would be built on the roof of a commercial center half a kilometer away and would not meet game standards, and the location of a third field is unknown. The municipality warns that splitting the facilities will harm the club's operations and could lead to the closure of many youth teams.
Mayor Moshe Lion stated, "We will not allow harm to thousands of children, youth, and athletes," urging the ILA to present a suitable alternative. Deputy Mayor and Sports Portfolio Holder Yossi Havilio echoed this sentiment, saying, "Money must not triumph over sports, and I call on tens of thousands of Beitar fans to join the struggle."
This is not the first controversy surrounding the Beit Vagan grounds. In January 2022, reports revealed a contract where then-Beitar Jerusalem owner Moshe Hogeg was to receive millions of shekels and apartments for vacating the training complex, despite not owning the land. Subsequent reports detailed the sale of the complex to private investors and fears of the team's eviction, which nearly derailed the club's sale to Barak Abramov.
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