Garden Helsinki: Main Owner Confident in Project Despite Controversial State Support

Helsinki's proposed Garden Helsinki multi-purpose arena project is embroiled in significant controversy following the Finnish government's decision to award it a conditional 35 million euro state grant. The grant, decided during the 2025 budget framework session, bypassed the usual preparation and approval procedures, sparking criticism, particularly from opposition parties.

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Garden has been in preparation for a long time, with a significant amount of planning and work behind it. The project is important for Finnish sports, the event industry, Helsinki, and all of Finland.

Jan Vapaavuori, former mayor of Helsinki and a former government minister, leads the project as chairman of the background company Projekti GH Oy. HIFK Hockey Oy, which manages the HIFK ice hockey team, is a major shareholder, holding approximately 36 percent of the company. Jaakko Eskola, chairman of the company's board, directed interview requests to CEO Ilkka Kortesluoma.

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Garden is strategically very important for HIFK, as a modern arena is a key prerequisite for the club's long-term competitiveness both athletically and commercially.

Kortesluoma, currently vacationing in the United States, affirmed the main owner's continued belief in the project's realization. "Garden has been in preparation for a long time, with a significant amount of planning and work behind it. The project is important for Finnish sports, the event industry, Helsinki, and all of Finland," he stated via email. He emphasized that HIFK views Garden Helsinki as strategically crucial for its long-term competitiveness, both athletically and commercially, as a modern arena is a key requirement.

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Public discussion is part of a project of this scale. From HIFK's perspective, the most important thing is that the project's progress is based on open decision-making and current legislation. We do not comment on political discussions or individual claims.

However, Kortesluoma declined to comment on the public discussion surrounding the 35 million euro grant. "Public discussion is part of a project of this scale. From HIFK's perspective, the most important thing is that the project's progress is based on open decision-making and current legislation. We do not comment on political discussions or individual claims," he said. He also refrained from speculating on whether the controversy would affect the project's timeline, stating, "We trust that any clarifications and decision-making processes will proceed appropriately. Our goal remains for Garden to be realized."

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We trust that any clarifications and decision-making processes will proceed appropriately. Our goal remains for Garden to be realized.