The issue of Årsta golf, which has been run on Stockholm’s land since 1986, is a remarkably long story. In 2002, a heated political dispute arose over the facility after a dispute over the lease between the then owner and the bourgeois majority in City Hall.
The owner reported the city to the police after announcing a tender for the business. Then the Social Democrats took the Gulf in defense.
Just over 10 years later meant the red-green-pink majority in City Hall that the Gulf must move to make room for housing. This while the Center fought for the golf to remain. However, the party got to see its motion on this be voted down in 2018.
The development office has now come up with a proposal for a decision. The first golf course is allocated land right next to Enskede racket hall, across Huddingevägen, less than a kilometer from the current location. Nearby is also Enskede riding school.
The Labor Market, Integration and Sports Citizens ‘Council Karin Ernlund (C) and the Finance Citizens’ Council Anna König Jerlmyr (M) rejoice in the race over the proposal.
– Finally, says the City Council of Finance.
– It has been a very difficult question. It is about making room for both housing, park areas and sports as the city grows. But we have been the ones who see opportunities when others only see problems, says Karin Ernlund.
And by others you mean …
– Yes, the Social Democrats for example. They thought that this was completely impossible to achieve. It has been difficult to find space for a golf course in the center of town. But it works. If you want, Karin Ernlund continues.
– The center has obviously had to back down from its proposal that golf should remain on Årstafältet. It is not relevant now, thank goodness, says the opposition mayor Jan Valeskog (S) who is vice chairman of the real estate committee where the matter is also handled.
He is cautiously in favor of the new proposal.
– The new place looks a bit like a bathtub and it can not be used for housing construction, so we think it is perfectly okay to try it. But it is probably not entirely easy, says Jan Valeskog.
Both Karin Ernlund and Anna König Jerlmyr has fought for the Gulf. When asked why the City Council of Finance answers that there are great values in facilities close to the city of this type.
– If we eliminate all opportunities for sports, we will reduce Stockholm’s attractiveness. Among other things, Karin and I have fought against the notion that this is some kind of elite sport. It is a folk sport, she says.
Gustav Bäck, who has run Årsta golf together with his brother Daniel since 2007, points out that the negotiations are not finished, but he is positive about the proposal. However, the move means that the facility will need to be significantly reduced in size. At present, you have around 5.5 hectares at your disposal. The new area is 2-3 hectares.
– We had really hoped to stay in the field. We have been fighting for this for many years, although we have not managed to row it ashore. But today’s politicians and officials have in any case made an effort to find a solution, says Gustav Bäck, who points out that the situation has sometimes been “night black”.
– There have been some choices during these years. One moment the politicians have been positive and the next negative. At the same time, we have tried to run the business. It has stolen a lot of energy, says Gustav Bäck.
The annual field will be a new district
The construction plans for Årstafältet include approximately 6,000 new homes – both rental and condominiums – as well as three new schools, a new district square and a large district park.
Årstaberg and Östberga will be new metro stations on the line Fridhemsplan – Älvsjö, which is expected to be completed in 2034.
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Ten years after the decision – no housing on Årstafältet yet