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The Berger Feld is always worth a visit
The Royal Blues in light of the investments made by the club since the UEFA Cup triumph in 1997 also left their mark on the extensive site around the Arena known locally as the Berger Feld. At that time the site had only one grass pitch and one cinder pitch. Now it boasts four grass pitches and an artificial pitch.
The main training pitch used by the professional squad has undersoil heating and a sand facility that offers a welcome alternative during the daily training routine. The Schalke training sessions, which are normally open to the public, are yet another attraction. And no visit to the club complex would be complete without a glass of pils or a cup of coffee in the 'Schalker' pub and a browse round the S04 shop.
In recent years FC Schalke 04 has developed into an expanding organisation, not least thanks to the Arena AufSchalke. The number of employees has increased threefold in the last eight years to 1,000, of which 200 are permanent staff. This made it necessary to invest in new office space. In three stages the main administrative building was extended and now boasts 3,500 mē of effective floor space. It houses the club shop, with 400 mē of sales space, a youth academy with four apartments for use by young talent, and a restaurant that caters for the needs of the many spectators at Schalke training sessions.
Yet the club's plans for the 500,000 square metre complex are far from complete. Proposals to build a rehabilitation centre and operate it in association with an investor are already at an advanced stage. This would entail the construction of a new building for the professional football department. And finally, the Royal Blues also hope to extend the club museum. All these deliberations show that FC Schalke 04 is not solely striving to achieve short-term success on the field, but aims to create the structures that will allow successful football to be played for many years to come.
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