Esch city officials Christian Weis and André Zwally have not given up hope that the National Sports Museum could be located in the city, even after the recent resignation of their long-time CSV companion and former Sports Minister Georges Mischo, who stepped down this week.
“I have taken note of the decision to resign. This is a personal decision that I will not comment on any further,” said Weis.
Zwally, who took over the city’s sports portfolio from Mischo, said: “I know Georges as a very committed person who has shown great dedication here in Esch, especially for sport. In particular, he has generated enthusiasm for various goals.”
When asked if he meant the sports museum, Zwally replied “among other things.” The museum has long been a major project in Esch and was often described as Mischo’s “baby.”
Both Weis and Zwally stressed that the museum’s history in the city predates Mischo’s involvement.
The sports museum project was originally linked to a planned sports arena in Lankelz. On 7 July 2017, the project was presented by the then LSAP sports alderman, Henri Hinterscheid. The land belonged part to the city, and part to the construction company Tracol. The plan was for Tracol to build both the arena and housing.
This is what the finished project including the sports arena and sports museum in Lankelz was supposed to look like © Photo credit: Stadt Esch/Alzette, Wilmotte, ww+
Weis explained why the CSV had abstained from the municipal vote at the time: “It was not because we opposed a sports arena, but because the project was presented suddenly before elections, and we had no time to study it,” he said.
After the elections, Mischo became mayor, and the city continued work on the arena. However, parts of the site were in a “zone non aedificandi,” where construction was not allowed. The city had considered including a local sports museum in an extension to the arena for local clubs.
The national sports museum was later included in the project under Sports Minister Dan Kersch (LSAP), formalised in December 2021 with a convention between the city and the state. Visual plans showed the sports arena with the museum in Lankelz.
Even though the current sports museum project is now off the table, this does not automatically mean that the sports museum cannot come to Esch
André Zwally
The project faced delays due to zoning issues. Weis said that in early 2023, the ministry of mobility and public works signalled the arena could not be built there.
Informal signals suggested a solution was possible, and in September 2023, Sports Minister Georges Engel confirmed the museum would come to Lankelz. After the 2023 elections, a new government clarified in early 2024 that the project would not proceed as planned.
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Regarding the Rout Lëns site, Weis said that “the idea did not come from us. The prospect of bringing the sports museum to Esch appealed to us. You will have to ask the ministry of sports who came up with the idea.” Zwally added that they welcomed a new purpose for the turbine hall on the site, which is now a listed building.
Weis emphasised that the city is no longer involved in the project. “From then on, it was a project of the state.” The Lankelz site will now be developed with residential space with up to 350 flats.
This is what the sports museum on the Rout Lëns should have looked like © Photo credit: Iko / Sportministerium
Ongoing investment
Despite the setbacks, the idea of a sports quarter in Lankelz and Lallingen areas of Esch continues. Zwally highlighted ongoing investment in the Centre Omnisports Henri Schmitz, including the recent opening of COHS3.
A further €9.5 million will go into COHS1 and COHS2 to increase spectator capacity with a new grandstand.
While Mischo had envisioned a “sports city,” Zwally called the current plan a sports quarter. On whether having a sports minister from Esch made projects easier, Weis said, “we have no advantages of any kind with any minister. We work well with every minister, no matter where they come from.”
Weis said redevelopment will involve both the municipality and the state. “Even if the current sports museum project is off the table, that does not automatically mean it cannot come to Esch. We could very well imagine it in the Metzeschmelz,” Zwally said.
(This article has been first published on the Luxemburger Wort. AI translated, with editing and adaptation by Lucrezia Reale.)
