Frosts threaten unused Helsinki Arena as electricity cut-off raises concerns

The first frosts may pose a significant challenge for the currently unused Helsinki Arena, according to Juhani Hyvärinen, the director of the Technical Industry and Trade Association. Hyvärinen warns that issues in the building could arise even before cold weather sets in. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association has announced that it will not cover the arena’s electricity bill, raising concerns about moisture levels affecting the materials and structures of the building due to disconnected power.

“The lack of electricity means the building’s ventilation system isn’t operational, which prevents moisture from being expelled,” Hyvärinen explained. Problems at the Helsinki Arena may manifest with the onset of freezing temperatures, potentially leading to frozen pipes. Additionally, district heating has also been cut off.

“Indoor temperatures can drop to freezing within a short period without heating,” he noted. Hyvärinen estimates that damage could occur within a matter of weeks once the cold weather begins.

Without electricity, monitoring the building can also become difficult. “Control systems for access, fire alarms, and various technical disturbance alerts often rely on electronic systems,” he said. Prolonged disuse of the building may lead to further problems complicating its re-entry into use, such as poor water quality if it hasn’t been run through the pipes for some time.

Despite the cut-off electricity and heating, Hyvärinen points out that property owners may have backup power available to mitigate potential issues. The electricity and district heating to the Helsinki Arena have been disconnected due to payment difficulties faced by the arena’s Russian ownership, stemming from EU-imposed sanctions.