Skip to main content

The Skyrocketing Price for Helsinki Olympic Stadium’s Renovation

 


The renovation of Helsinki Olympic Stadium appeared to have cost more than expected.

The home of the Finland national team, the largest stadium in the country, Helsinki Olympic Stadium, had just been renovated and opened for public again in summer 2021 with a number of additional facilities. However, the price for its overhaul turns out to be skyrocketing compared to the previous plan.

Recently, it has been reported by NAOF (National Audit Office of Finland) that the final price for such a project has reached $ 410 million, whereas the previous estimation in 2016 was only $218 million. In other countries, such an amount is normally sufficient for building an entirely new one with a large capacity. Yet, the result of the renovation project, apart from the new facilities, is barely different from the previous condition. The capacity is still the same: 36,000 people, which is not a big one. Its design tends to be a modest one as well. Nothing really stands out in particular, although the Finns might argue on this issue since they do focus on preserving its original historic outlook and structure.

Regarding the result of the audit,the city of Helsinki eventually released its official statement on the issue ofthe fluctuating construction market as one of the reasons, beside the extremelyhigh material and labour costs in Finland.

“Examples of such new factors were the more extensive and demanding rock quarrying and reinforcement work, the replacement of structures with moisture damage, as well as additional concrete structure work both in the new and refurbishment segments.”

Unfortunately, the NAOF auditors do not seem to be entirely satisfied with it. It is believed that there is an issue of lack of discipline and transparency in relation to spending taxpayer money, although there has been no official confirmation on it yet.

The History

Helsinki Olympic Stadium was erected in 1934 and completed four years later. It was designed by Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jäntti and became the hosting venue of the 1952 Olympic Games. Before the 2016 renovation, the stadium was revamped twice: from 1990 to 1994 and in 2004–2005. The most notable facilities after the latest overhaul are the additional hospitality area, the indoor secondary running track hidden just beneath the main track, the sprinters track, and other secondary sports facilities under the stands.

This stadium, which holds concerts by famous world artists more often than notable football matches, was selected to be the host of the UEFA Super Cup 2022. It was held on August 10, 2022. The UEFA Champions League and Europa League winners in the 2021/22 season, Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt, squared off again in the summit after 60 years. Their last duel took place in the 1960 European Cup, the old name of the UEFA Champions League. At that time, Los Blancos dismantled the German side 7-3.

The Recent Matches

In Helsinki 2022, the result remained the same: a victory for Los Merengues in front of 31,024 spectators. They picked up a 2-0 win over Oliver Glasner’s side, scoring one goal each in the first and second halves. Austrian international David Alaba opened the scoring in the 37th minute before Karim Benzema doubled their lead in the 65th minute. It was Real Madrid’s fifth title and the fourth trophy for their boss, Carlo Ancelotti as a manager

Meanwhile, the last game staged in this stadium was the EURO 2024 qualifying round match between Finland and Northern Ireland on November 17, 2023. Teemu Pukki and Co. hammered their British opposition 4-0. Such a win helped Finland secure a berth in the playoffs next March. They will be taking on Wales. Should they win, they have a chance to host another decisive game against the winners of Poland and Estonia to snatch one of the last spots in EURO 2024.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Top Goalkeepers who became understudy in the Elite Clubs

  A few top goalkeepers were unable to be the first choice while joining the elite sides and forced to be the understudy. The top goalkeepers with established roles in the previous clubs or in the national team would certainly expect the same status when they decided to switch sides to the top sides. Unfortunately, such is never easy. Signing for the elite team might be tempting to add silverware to their collection. Yet, lifting trophies without playing regularly would not be ideal. Barcelona’s new signing, Wojciech Szczesny, might be one recent example of such. The former Poland international joined the Catalan side following Marc Ter Stegen’s long-term injury. Fans would hope to see the former Arsenal and Juventus man in action between the sticks. Yet, his status might not change after Ter Stegen’s understudy, Inaki Pena’s top form in the first El Clasico this season. He was able to keep a clean sheet and make crucial saves to keep Real Madrid’s stars at bay. Szczcesny is likel

The Best Former Olympic Team Managers Promoted to Lead Senior Teams

  Only a few former Olympic team managers appointed to take charge of the senior team were considered the best one in history. The Paris Olympics 2024 are getting closer. The multi-event sport tournament starts its competition on July 26, but football starts slightly earlier on July 24 due to its stages in the competition. All 16 managers are still pondering who will be named in the final squad and which over-aged player can be called up and given permission by their clubs to compete in the Olympics, the global tournament that is not included in the FIFA calendar. So far, only the host France U23 and Argentina U23 have called up their players for the final squad. Les Blues have included Crystal Palace man Jean Philippe Mateta and former Arsenal man Alexander Lacazette as their only over-aged players enlisted in the team. France is led by Thierry Henry, while Albiceleste currently has Javier Mascherano at the helm of the team. Both are still at the early stages of their managerial

The Managers Taking Charge of the Rival Sides in International Football

  Only a few managers who have been up to the rare challenge in taking charge of the rival side of their own nations in international football. Being the manager of your own national team would undoubtedly be an incredible experience for a coach. The pride of leading one's own country to an international major tournament is irreplaceable. However, fate can be cruel at times, and the opportunity to lead a rival nation arises before your own. Such is difficult, but for someone who is unattached, it is simply too good to pass up. This is what happens to Thomas Tuchel. The former Chelsea, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Dortmund manager was recently appointed by the FA as Gareth Southgate 's successor. He is the best available candidate and a proven winner for his team, which matches the desired profile. The only flaw in him is that he is German, England's long-time rival on and off the pitch . Fortunately, such rivalry is no longer an issue in modern era, despite their conflict in