Hagen in Focus: What Happened in April 2026

Hagen on Course: Decisions for the Future

What Was Important This Month

• Cuno Vocational College has a new location: The sports field at Höing is preferred, with costs reduced.
• Westfalenbad remains part of the city's renovation plans – even though funding is no longer available.
• Culture and Education benefit: The double budget for 2026/2027 was approved, with investments in the Osthaus Museum.
• Investments in sports facilities: Millions for artificial turf fields and stands.
• Financial planning on track: The budget security concept and savings measures are secured.
• Environmental issues in focus: Wild boar reports, Volme fish ladder, and nature conservation planning.

Education and Urban Development: Cuno Vocational College at Höing

In April 2026, the Hagen City Council made a clear decision: the Cuno Vocational College will be built at the sports field at Höing. With this, Variant 1 is now the preferred location. Due to the elimination of some areas and the cancellation of the planned sports hall, the costs were reduced from 201.2 million euros to 183.2 million euros. Financing is secured through an unplanned allocation, allowing the planning to proceed without incurring new debt.

In addition, it was decided to either renovate or rebuild the existing Cuno building – the latter option is 69 million euros more expensive than renovation.

Sports and Infrastructure: Modernization on Multiple Levels

One of the biggest challenges for the city's sports sector remains the Westfalenbad. Although a technical analysis has identified urgent renovation needs until 2045, the facility does not meet the requirements for federal funding. Nevertheless, there are advances: The 2026/2027 budget includes significant funds for renovations of artificial turf fields and stands. A total of 1.7 million euros alone will be invested in the modernization of the stadium and fields.

Another project is the changing room at Alexanderstraße, for which CDU/SPD has requested an interim solution. The administration has been tasked with developing a concept and cost estimate.

Culture and Museums: Hagen Invests in Its Profile

The double budget for 2026/2027 with a volume of 176.5 million euros has been approved. Particularly notable is the investment in the Osthaus Museum, where the restoration of the glass windows in the old building will be funded with 60,000 euros from NRW funding. The goal is to attract up to 28,500 visitors per year.

In addition, the Hohenhof garden area will be integrated into the IGA 2027 – another step to strengthen Hagen's cultural profile. The Archaeological Museum is also planning a new concept for its permanent exhibition, which should make the location more attractive in the long term.

Environment and Nature Conservation: Hagen Remains Sensitive

In April 2026, several environmental-related motions were submitted. Particularly noticeable is the status report on the wild boar population, which was requested by the administration. In addition, a motion for water rights planning approval for the fish ladder on the Volme is under review.

In the 2026/2027 budget plan, a second reading of partial plans in nature conservation is also scheduled for agenda item 0129/2026.

Financial Planning: Consolidation on Track

The budget security concept for the 2026/2027 double budget has been approved. The city has committed to saving 7 million euros in personnel costs and 12.966 million euros in material costs. These measures are necessary to ensure long-term financial stability. In addition, the funding for the Cuno Vocational College is already included in the current budget.

Outlook: Hagen Builds the Future

The developments in April show: Hagen is investing in education, sports, and culture, while at the same time maintaining a focus on financial consolidation. The decisions for the Cuno Vocational College and sports facilities lay the foundation for a modern infrastructure. In the cultural sector, there is a clear will to position Hagen more strongly as a creative center. Environmental issues remain a sensitive topic, gaining increasing weight in public and political discourse.

In May, the implementation of these decisions will be the focus – and whether the planned projects can achieve their goals.