Zoning plan approved for Süper Lig team's facility

A significant milestone has been reached in the facility project that Göztepe plans to implement for Olympic branches in İzmir's Balçova İnciraltı district. The conservation-oriented master and implementation zoning plans prepared for the approximately 32,000-square-meter area, which was allocated to the club in 2023 for the construction of facilities, have been approved.

The plans for the "Indoor Sports Facility Area," approved by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, have been put out for public review by the İzmir Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. The plans will remain on display until September 2, 2026.

If no objections are filed during the review process, Göztepe is expected to break ground on the facility, which is planned for athletes competing in Olympic branches. It was stated that the project is designed as a living space that includes social areas open not only to athletes but also to families and local residents.

NO FOOTBALL PITCH INCLUDED

There will be no football pitch at the İnciraltı facility. The project will feature handball, basketball, and volleyball courts, as well as an indoor semi-Olympic swimming pool, a gymnastics hall, and tennis and padel courts. Additionally, there are plans for training areas for table tennis, chess, archery, athletics, judo, taekwondo, and fencing, along with fitness, pilates, social event areas, and dining units.

Göztepe's goal is to bring together its Olympic sports schools, currently operating in different locations, under one roof and to provide children and young people with better conditions for sports. With this facility, the club aims to create a sports ecosystem that can retain athletes raised in İzmir within the city.

Göztepe Honorary President and Olympic Branches President Mehmet Sepil stated that they have reached an important stage in the İnciraltı project and that they aim to begin the project within 3-4 months following the necessary permit processes.

''The İnciraltı project will now be the starting point for Göztepe's greatest goal: the project of sending athletes to the Olympics under the Göztepe crest.''

The plan explanatory report noted that Göztepe Sports Club operates in 16 Olympic branches, primarily volleyball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, archery, handball, fencing, taekwondo, sailing, and chess, and serves more than 5,000 athletes.

The report also stated that the club has had to rent different facilities for some branches due to a lack of indoor space, which has affected training and match schedules. Following the completion of the zoning work, it is anticipated that the area will be left for the club's use free of charge for a period of 20 years, in accordance with the authorization of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.