In dire Poland venue design work gather steam

Article posted by Coliseum, March 20^th, 2024

Image: PIG Architekci

The condition of the Stomil Olsztyn Stadium in Olsztyn, Poland, leaves much to be desired. However, the high point is that the design work for reconstruction of the venue is gaining momentum.

‘GAZETA OLSZTYŃSKA’ stated that since the stadium condition is in dire the Olsztyn authorities are trying to save the situation by carrying out temporary repair and upgrade works in the facility with minimum funding.

The Stomil Olsztyn Stadium is a multiuse stadium in Olsztyn, Poland. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of the OKS 1945 Olsztyn. The stadium has a capacity to accommodate 16,800 spectators.

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The Stomil Olsztyn S.A., more popularly known as the OKS 1945 Olsztyn and OKS Stomil Olsztyn, is a Polish football club based in Olsztyn, Poland. It was founded on July 15^th, 1945 as the OKS Warmiak. The brightest era of the club was during the ’90s when it played in the Polish First League. Presently, the club plays in the II liga, the third tier of the Polish football league system. The Stomil Olsztyn Stadium serves as their home ground.

‘GAZETA OLSZTYŃSKA’ further stated that the temporary upgrade works mainly revolved around the pitch and the main stand. In the case of the former, artificial turf has been laid out and new lighting installed. For the latter, new seats have been put in place in the Eastern Stand of the arena.

There is light at the end of the tunnel – the Olsztyn authorities will receive circa PLN 30 million in Government subsidies for totally reconstructing the above facility. The reconstructed stadium design will meet benchmarks laid down by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to enable the venue to hold the UEFA fixtures as well as major domestic matchups. The revamp work will be done to facilitate holding of major entertainment acts too.

Nyon (Switzerland)-based the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is one of six continental bodies of governance in association football. It governs football, futsal and beach football in Europe and the transcontinental countries of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan, as well as the Asian country Israel. The UEFA consists of 55 national association members. Since 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the FIFA and UEFA have suspended all Russian national teams and clubs from any FIFA and UEFA competitions.

Recently, a meeting of architects responsible for lending the design to reconfigure the stadium was held with the Olsztyn authorities following which the design work has caught pace.

The PLN 30 million earmarked for the rejig work will facilitate the first phase of redecoration of the venue and the construction of a stand on the Eastern side of the arena opening up to the Leonarda Street. As per the project details, 4,510 seats will be installed in the Eastern Stand to enable holding soccer showpieces.

Pointed out Piotr Grzymowicz, Mayor of Olsztyn, “The preliminary upgrade works have started and there is still major redevelopment work left to be done. The exercise to revamp the facility has got rolling and fingers crossed, soon we should be boasting a spiffy venue.”

The above facility is located in the heart of Olsztyn, boasts a main pitch with dimensions of 105 m x 68 m, compliant with the criteria laid down by the Polish Football Association (PZPN) and the UEFA.

The stadium can accommodate 4,500 spectators, who sit in the main stand under the roof, and the section for the away fans can hold 500 people. The pitch is illuminated with floodlights with a total power of 2,200 lux which enables high-definition (HD) broadcast.

The Polish Football Association (PZPN) is the governing body of association football in Poland. It organizes the Polish football leagues, the Polish Cup and is responsible for the Poland national football team. It is based in the Polish capital of Warsaw.

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