A sporty opening: Fitness park on the BTU campus in Senftenberg

On 22 April 2026, the new outdoor sports park on the Campus Senftenberg was officially opened as part of the BTU’s Health Action Day. In his speech, the BTU Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr Peer Schmidt, emphasised: “With this new initiative to promote health in everyday life for our staff and students, we also want to become even more involved in the local community.” Together with the Head of the Central University Sports Facility, Catharina Buchenau, and her colleague Melanie Haschock, who is responsible for the Senftenberg site, he officially opened the course. BTU graduate Dipannita Banik provided a special cultural highlight in the supporting programme with impressive Indian dance performances. At the opening, students from the Therapy Sciences study programme accompanied the first participants, provided expert guidance and offered support as they tried out the course.

Being active together at the open meeting place 

With the new exercise circuit, the university aims to extend teaching and learning spaces into the open air. At the same time, it creates an open meeting place for students, staff and guests of the BTU to be active together and network. Thanks to its central location along the campus paths and in the immediate vicinity of the established sports facilities, the circuit can be easily integrated into daily life – ideal for an active break and as a counterbalance to predominantly sedentary activities. 

Looking ahead, the outdoor sports park offers space for individual training as well as communal use and strengthens the university community under the guiding principle of ‘Fit@Campus’. A total of seven pieces of exercise equipment were installed by GaLaBau & Erden Tuschke GmbH from Vetschau. These cover different areas of focus – from strength and balance to endurance. 

The circuit was funded by special funds from the State of Brandenburg for the health promotion of employees in state institutions, thereby enabling low-threshold exercise in everyday life directly on campus. 

Special thanks for their commitment to the successful implementation of the project go to the Location Development Officer, Dr Anne Lutter, and the former Chancellor of the BTU, Robert Denk.

A diverse sports programme ranging from badminton to yoga

The sports programme at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is aimed in particular at students and Staff Members at the university, but also offers attractive opportunities for graduates and members of the public. In total, over 50 sports are on offer across the BTU’s campuses. In Senftenberg, the programme ranges from badminton to yoga. Among other things, it also includes volleyball, strength training, as well as dance and health courses. A new cycling course allows participants to explore the picturesque natural scenery around Lake Senftenberg from the saddle.

“We are always open to new instructors and new sports,” explains Melanie Haschock from the Central University Sports Department. “Please feel free to get in touch with us about this.” 

Registration for sports courses at the BTU is very straightforward via the website under the ‘Sports Programme’ tab. Once you select your preferred campus here, you’ll see an overview of the courses on offer.