Construction of Hippos Sports and Ice Complex in Jyväskylä may begin by year’s end

Construction of the Hippos Sports and Ice Complex in Jyväskylä may commence by the end of this year if the city council approves a new building plan during its meeting on September 30. The project, estimated to cost nearly 150 million euros, aims to provide a comprehensive hub for sports and ice activities. Project manager Kai Ruuhonen has assured that the construction will not displace any local sports clubs, as current facilities will remain available throughout the process, with special arrangements only needed for the ice rink due to the preservation of some seating structures.

The Hippos Center is set to cover approximately 100,000 square meters, roughly equivalent to two Nokia Arenas or fourteen football fields. Jyväskylä’s mayor, Timo Koivisto, expressed cautious optimism about the project, stating he would only fully trust its initiation upon seeing construction machinery on-site. The financing for the project will be structured through a leasing agreement, deemed the only viable solution to move the venture forward.

Under this arrangement, a city-owned company will act as a tenant, paying leasing fees to the project’s investors, which will include SEB Leasing from the Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken. Koivisto noted SEB’s previous support for other public sector initiatives in Finland.

The Hippos project will consist of four buildings: a Sports Center, a Competence Center, an Ice Sports Center, and a parking facility, all connected by a common atrium. The Sports Center and parking hall are expected to be completed by spring 2026, with the entire complex scheduled for completion by 2027. The Ice Sports Center, featuring seating for over 6,000 for competitive events and a concert hall for 7,000, will be the final structure to finish.