Kisapuisto

Ice sport arena in Lappeenranta, Finland

61°03′28″N 28°13′44″E / 61.05778°N 28.22889°E / 61.05778; 28.22889OwnerCity of LappeenrantaCapacity4,820Field size60m x 28.5 mConstructionOpened30 September 1972 (1972-09-30)Expanded2004TenantsSaiPa (1972–)
RB-93 (1993–)
Lappeenrannan Taitoluistelijat (1998–)

Lappeenrannan kisapuiston jäähalli (lit. 'Lappeenranta's Kisapuisto ice hall'), often shortened to Kisapuiston jäähalli, is an ice hockey arena in the Lappeenrannan kisapuisto [fi] of Lappeenranta, Finland. It is best known as the home arena of SaiPa, an ice hockey team in the Liiga, and is therefore sometimes called Kisapuiston liigajäähalli.^[1]

In addition to SaiPa, the arena's main occupants include the synchronized skating club Saimaan Muodostelmaluistelijat, the figure skating clubs Lappeenrannan Luistelijat and Lappeenrannan Taitoluistelijat, and RB-93 [fi], a men's rink ball club in the Kaukalopallon SM-sarja [fi]. The arena is also used for concerts, fairs, and as a venue for other sports, for example boxing.^[2]

History

An outdoor artificial ice rink located the site was opened on 23 October 1963; it was the fifth arteficial ice rink to be constructed in Finland.^[3] The rink was later enclosed and the ice hall opened on 30 September 1972.

Kisapuiston jäähalli was renovated and expanded in 2004. The work included expanding and updating public spaces, adding new safety protections, building nine suites, replacing the scoreboards, and renewing the sound and lighting systems.

In 2016, a structural inspection of the building was completed, the results of which identified weakness in the integrity of the roof. Due to the weight restrictions, the roof of the arena has to be cleared of snow in the winter.^[4] At the time of inspection, it was thought that the roof's issues would prevent the ceiling-suspended scoreboard from being replaced, however, a new four-sided digital scoreboard was able to be installed ahead of the 2021–22 Liiga season.^[5]

Gallery

Liiga game between SaiPa (yellow) and HPK (white) in March 2020.
The main lobby of Kisapuiston jäähalli in 2004, after renovation.

References

^ "Jäähallit: Palvelupaikat – Liigahalli". Lappeenranta (in Finnish). Retrieved 17 March 2023.
^ "Tilat ja alueet: Jäähalli". LappeenrantaEvents.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 17 March 2023.
^ Torvinen, Jukka, ed. (2004). "SaiPa ja idän uudet ihmeet". Jääkiekkolehti (in Finnish). 2004 (10): 32. ISSN 1238-0903.
^ Suntio, Marianne (13 October 2018). "Miten tässä hallissa voi pelata SM-liigakiekkoa? SaiPan kotikenttä hajoaa käsiin - "Puhutaan myös ihmisten turvallisuudesta"". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 17 March 2023.
^ Silvennoinen, Anssi (8 September 2021). "SaiPan uusi mediakuutio loistaa katseenvangitsijana Kisapuiston jäähallin katossa – Perjantain avausottelussa kuutio on vain rajoitetusti käytössä, toimintoja tulee lisää kauden edetessä". Etelä-Saimaa (in Finnish). Retrieved 17 March 2023.