11,000 spectators, hotel, restaurants, underground parking, grocery stores, local train station, etc.
It would be near the Olympic Stadium and Sonera Stadium (football, HJK).
But what's more important it'd be a slap to the face for Mr.Harkimo and his Jokerit and their Hartwall Arena which has been the number one place for international indoor events so far.
It's scheduled to be finished in 2016 and it's supposed to be funded by private investors.
Oh, and the name would be "Helsinki Garden".
Last edited by Eidyia: 11-13-2012 at 11:40 AM.
Reason: spelling
Rather silly anglism, yes, but it could be worse. At least it's not being named after the main sponsor. "KOFF Garden" would be worth an even more rigorous headshake.
But apart from the name, this is a great plan. Currently Hartwall Arena pretty much has the monopoly in what comes to big stage hockey events (with HK Arena in Turku getting whatever drops off the table). Between this new garden and the upcoming arena in Tampere, it'll do nothing but good for the hockey scene in Finland.
Rather silly anglism, yes, but it could be worse. At least it's not being named after the main sponsor. "KOFF Garden" would be worth an even more rigorous headshake.
But apart from the name, this is a great plan. Currently Hartwall Arena pretty much has the monopoly in what comes to big stage hockey events (with HK Arena in Turku getting whatever drops off the table). Between this new garden and the upcoming arena in Tampere, it'll do nothing but good for the hockey scene in Finland.
Agreed 100%. Except for the bolded part.
You really think the Tampere project is ever going to be finished? I'm more optimistic with the Espoo Football Stadium (in Tapiola) than with this neverending SimCity-dream in Tampere. (and they're both very far from coming to reality).
Nevertheless, I hope they'd both succeed. That would haste the process of a "New Raksila" here in the north, which has been in the talks for years.
Though even without that piece of news, a new arena for Tampere has been a foregone conclusion for a while. Hakametsä is practically on its last legs, even those who disagree with the current plan agree with that. But because it's been declared a national monument or something like that, they can't just rip it down or reasonably modernize it.
Though even without that piece of news, a new arena for Tampere has been a foregone conclusion for a while. Hakametsä is practically on its last legs, even those who disagree with the current plan agree with that. But because it's been declared a national monument or something like that, they can't just rip it down or reasonably modernize it.
So yeah, it's coming alright.
I obviously missed that, thank you. I stopped following the whole progress in Tampere when there was complaints after complaints.
Argh, the "Helsinki Garden" name sounds silly. I actually would have preferred "KOFF Garden" just for the laugh value of it. But I'm really excited for this, watching HIFK in a brand new arena will be an amazing feeling I'm sure.
What's so wrong with "Helsinki Garden"? After all they are planning the terrestrial buildings to be around the center garden. And it would be the name for the whole complex afaik. The HIFK's arena underground would most likely get some sponsor name.
Oh and excellent news of course! I like the design and this kind of multi-purpose complex is the only way to get a permission to build a new arena within a walking distance of city center. The synergy benefits for the public funded Olympic Stadium renovations should help with the politics too
Harkimo is deep in the Finnish Icehockey Federation with his back washing so I don't see the possible new arena to be home of the national team as long as Kummola is in charge. But you never know Hartwall Areena will be around 20 years old already if this gets done in the time schedule, which I doubt a little bit but still very optimistic about the project.
Finland has enough arenas. I think they pretty eloquently explained why it's a "garden" - because it's not a simple sports venue, but a complex that's supposed to hold a lot of different enterprises.
The funny thing is that they had this same discussion some 20 years ago. Back then we had a ton of "hallis" around, and "Hartwall Arena" was regarded as a rather silly and perplexing way to bring an international twist to it.
Fast forward to the current day - Finland is full of arenas and no one has any kind of problem with them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SirPena
Harkimo is deep in the Finnish Icehockey Federation with his back washing so I don't see the possible new arena to be home of the national team as long as Kummola is in charge.
Hasn't Kummola hinted he might actually be out by the time this one's standing?
Harkimo is deep in the Finnish Icehockey Federation with his back washing so I don't see the possible new arena to be home of the national team as long as Kummola is in charge. But you never know Hartwall Areena will be around 20 years old already if this gets done in the time schedule, which I doubt a little bit but still very optimistic about the project.
The fact that Hartwall Areena fits 2000 more already means it makes zero sense to lose out on the extra income. However, future World Championships (probably next decade) could be held in Helsinki alone.
The fact that Hartwall Areena fits 2000 more already means it makes zero sense to lose out on the extra income. However, future World Championships (probably next decade) could be held in Helsinki alone.
At least I didn't hear HIFK stating that the arena would be for 11k, I believe it's all from rumours. Kauppalehti had it "around 12k". And the planning of the arena is far from ready so they might not even be certain about it yet. However I think 11k would be quite ideal for a SM-Liiga arena in Helsinki.
The fact that Hartwall Areena fits 2000 more already means it makes zero sense to lose out on the extra income. However, future World Championships (probably next decade) could be held in Helsinki alone.
I can only imagine the political clashes behind the scenes when they're trying to choose two out of Hartwall, HIFK Arena and the new Tampere Central Arena in 2020.
Hopefully hockey is more popular then so we can play in three groups.
I kind a like that shape, I hope they at least build that higher building so there could be a restaurant or a bar on the upper floors where there would be a kick ass view to downtown Helsinki. Also I like that they are building a multi-purpose complex and not just a hockey rink. The location is very good, probably the best place actually. Traffic could be a problem so they have figure that one out.
Estimated opening time would be now closer to 2018 than 2016 and it's not even 100% certain IFK gets that place...there is 10 projects wanting that territory plus HIFK still needs to find the funds/investors.
That first design is just a drawing (might and probably will change like in so many projects in Helsinki area*) and I'm sure the garden will be called "some sponsor" Garden just like so many arenas these days.
(*Edit. Jussi's link says it well)
*For example Hartwall Areena's design in first place was way more sexier but it would have been too expensive so other cheaper design had to be used.'
I know IFK needs a new modern arena but does Helsinki need 2 big arenas and can they both survive in events not called hockey? that's the question what the investors have to think also when IFK knocks door.
But anyways good luck HIFK.
OT. IMO what Helsinki needs more is a venue/club of around 2500-3000 persons for rock/pop gigs etc.
I know IFK needs a new modern arena but does Helsinki need 2 big arenas and can they both survive in events not called hockey? that's the question what the investors have to think also when IFK knocks door.
.
You're right, but remember that Helsinki is the fastest growing city in the Nordic.
What's enough today might not be enough in 2020 or 2025. And as you said, this project is far from coming to reality, it's just a plan. Reality is though, that HIFK won't be playing in old Nordis much longer. They're buiding a new arena in the near future whether it'll be in Töölö or somewhere else.
And the investors don't care about the hockey venue, they care about the businnesses and the infrastructure that comes with it. Or what they hope that comes with it.
All that said, I hope they build it near their current arena and leave that place in Töölö for a park or something. It's such a nice and open neighbourhood and I'm a little scared that a massive multicomplex would ruin it.
All that said, I hope they build it near their current arena and leave that place in Töölö for a park or something. It's such a nice and open neighbourhood that I'm a little scared that a massive multicomlplex would ruin it.
The last thing Helsinki needs is another park or open/green space in any of its downtown districts, especially in Töölö.
Last edited by Kurt Russell Crowe: 11-15-2012 at 01:01 PM.
(and they're both very far from coming to reality).
