The Ahörnchen playground can be seen on the left-hand side, with wooden play structures on a sandy surface. Behind it stand three cherry trees with pink blossoms. In the background, on the left-hand side of the image, is the athletics stadium with its stands, and on the right-hand side is the Ahorn-Sportpark-Halle with its entrance area.

Entrance area to the Ahorn-Sportpark Hall with playground and the cherry trees in pink blossom

Ahorn-Sportpark

Volunteering and sport: Distinguished visitors at Ahorn-Sportpark

On Sunday, 31 August 2025, Ahorn-Sportpark welcomed Dr Christiane Schenderlein, Member of the Bundestag and CDU politician, who has held the post of Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering at the Federal Chancellery since the start of this year. Together with Dr Carsten Linnemann (MP) from Paderborn and Bernhard Hoppe-Biermeyer (MPL), a member of the state parliament, she visited Paderborn’s largest sports and leisure facility.

Member of the Bundestag and Minister of State Dr Christiane Schenderlein (centre) stands alongside five political representatives at the Ahorn-Sportpark in Paderborn. The group poses in a row in front of the sports hall’s large wooden roof structure. From right: Prof. Dr Nikolaus Risch, Martin Nixdorf, Bernhard Hoppe-Biermeyer, Dr Carsten Linnemann and Ralf Pahlsmeier.

Member of the Bundestag and Minister of State Dr Christiane Schenderlein (centre) visits the Ahorn-Sportpark in Paderborn together with political representatives. Photo from right (Elli Bezensek): Prof. Dr Nikolaus Risch, Martin Nixdorf (both from the Westfalen Foundation and the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation), Bernhard Hoppe-Biermeyer (Member of the State Parliament), Dr Carsten Linnemann (Member of the Bundestag) and Ralf Pahlsmeier (Ahorn Sports Park).

Elli Bezensek

The guests were welcomed by Ralf Pahlsmeier, Managing Director of the Ahorn-Sportpark, as well as the chairmen of the Westfalen Foundation and the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation, Martin Nixdorf and Prof. Dr Nikolaus Risch.

During the tour of the multi-purpose facility, the vision of founder Heinz Nixdorf became impressively clear: a centre that facilitates sport, exercise and community for all generations whilst specifically promoting competitive youth sport.

“The Ahorn-Sportpark is an impressive example of how sport brings people together. In particular, the commitment of the foundations and the strong role played by local volunteers demonstrate the power that civic engagement can unleash,” explained Dr Christiane Schenderlein.

The discussions focused on how voluntary work can be given greater recognition and how the burden on volunteers can be eased. Those responsible provided valuable insights into the practical cooperation between sports clubs and full-time staff, combined with ideas for reducing bureaucracy and improving conditions for volunteers.

“It is important to us to show federal policymakers how volunteering and competitive sport go hand in hand successfully in Paderborn. We would be delighted if Dr Schenderlein were to take on board the suggestions from the Ahorn-Sportpark and take them back to Berlin,” emphasised Martin Nixdorf, Chairman of the Board of the Nixdorf Foundations.