Special Rekortan surfaces at the "End of the World Stadium" in Magglingen (Switzerland)

Close to the Sky

Magglingen (French: Macolin) is a small town in the Bernese Seeland, home to just under 600 residents in this bilingual community situated above Lake Biel. Magglingen is well known as the location of the Swiss Federal Office of Sport (BASPO), a competence center dedicated to promoting sports and physical activity throughout Switzerland—across all ages and performance levels. In a picturesque landscape, the National Sports Center Magglingen (NSM) offers numerous facilities for various sports, as well as seminar rooms, accommodation, and dining options. Part of the NSM is the Federal University of Sport Magglingen, which provides education and training in sports and exercise sciences. Elite athletes also receive sports science support and optimized training opportunities here, making "Magglingen" synonymous with the training camp of Swiss top sports figures. Near the BASPO lies the sports facility with the poetic and fitting name "End of the World Stadium" (Fin du Monde). It is part of a larger sports complex that includes a sports hall, multiple soccer and tennis courts, as well as a beach volleyball court. Situated more than 1,000 meters above sea level, the site offers not only optimal training facilities but also breathtaking views over the Bernese Seeland—bringing you as close to the sky as possible. Between 2006 and 2007, the complex was modernized and expanded; today, it is compact, practical, and seamlessly integrated into the natural surroundings. The soccer fields also accommodate rugby and American football, and there are facilities for discus and hammer throwing, as well as a golf course. The centerpiece of the facility, the stadium, was renovated between the second quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2022. Various configurations and colors of our Rekortan surfaces were used for the track and field lanes. Lanes 1 to 6 feature Rekortan M in brick red, our globally proven professional sports surface. This poured-in-place surface is characterized by excellent acceleration and elasticity. It is also fast, waterproof, and highly spike-resistant. In the End of the World Stadium, it has also been used in the javelin throw area. The outermost lane, number seven, is color-coded in orange and equipped with an additional 40 mm elastic layer for cushioning, serving as a jogging track. In the southern sector, which includes the pole vault area, Rekortan SL in brick red was installed, our all-rounder for high-traffic sports facilities. It has been developed by Polytan as a water-permeable surface with a structured finish for professional athletics training, particularly for "stress zones" such as the pole vault area. Premium raw materials and the system structure of this surface ensure a long-lasting, visually appealing finish. Rekortan SL is also used in the adjacent street workout area in Rainbow Green, next to the circular tracks. For the northern sector, the choice was Rekortan RS, one of our re-topping systems. These are an effective solution for worn and degraded tracks and surfaces, as they allow aged surfaces to be refurbished both technically and visually. Rekortan RS proved to be a highly economical solution in Magglingen, as the existing elastic sublayers could be retained and did not need to be disposed of. Both professional and amateur athletes benefit from the diverse infrastructure in Magglingen, some of which is publicly accessible and free for local residents. And for those wishing to get close to the sky, the End of the World Stadium is the ideal destination.