Featured image credit: Aki Rask/City of Helsinki
The City of Helsinki is considering building a new football stadium in the Oulunkylä area of the capital to complement the Olympic Stadium which was recently redeveloped.
The stadium would be incorporated into the existing Oulunkylä sports park, with current facilities to undergo development work. The city is also exploring the possibility of including new housing in the plans.
The city has determined that it will require one new football stadium in the coming years, in addition to the Olympic Stadium, which is located in the Töölö district. The Olympic Stadium has a capacity of 36,300 and reopened in 2020 following a four-year renovation project.
The Oulunkylä project includes the renovation of existing sports fields to allow local competitions and activities. A planning process will begin in due course, allowing the city to prepare necessary proposals and surveys on the size of the stadium and the extent of housing that would be feasible.
Helsinki will also decide if the stadium should be implemented as the city’s own project or as a private project, based on a competition that will be organised once draft plans have been drawn up.
The initial information to be obtained for the plan amendment will involve the natural values of the area and the location of trees that serve as habitats for flying squirrels. The planning will also involve an assessment on the impact that large events will have on locals.
Petteri Huurre, head of sports facilities in Helsinki, said: “The need for the stadium has been identified and it is good that the conditions for locating it in Oulunkylä are thoroughly investigated. At the same time, however, it is also necessary to ensure that the other sports conditions in the sports park can be developed in the coming years.”
City architect Outi Ruski added: “Oulunkylä sports park is one of the most diverse sports facilities in Helsinki, and people from all around the city want to visit it. Helsinki aims to develop the sports park to be even more functional so that it continues to serve various user groups widely and connect to the pleasant, dense and lively environment around the Jokeri Light Rail Line.”
The sports park houses the Mustapekka Areena stadium, which serves as the home of local football team IF Gnistan. Last year, the main stands at the stadium were destroyed by a fire, which forced the team to relocate to Bolt Arena. The construction of temporary stands is currently underway.
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