Revised Garden Helsinki Arena Plan Revealed Amid Funding Controversy

The controversial Garden Helsinki arena project has unveiled new visualizations showcasing a drastically simplified plan. The revised concept eliminates hotel, residential, and office buildings, focusing solely on a multi-purpose arena. This significant redesign follows a 'reset' of the project, which has been in development since 2008. Jan Vapaavuori, chairman of the project's background company Projekti GH oy, stated the original concept was 'too complex and risky.'

The new visualizations depict a more streamlined design with a smaller arena footprint compared to earlier iterations. The planned multi-purpose arena is set to accommodate approximately 20,000 people. Vapaavuori indicated that these changes will substantially reduce the project's cost and construction time, which is now slated to begin in late 2027 or early 2028, with an opening targeted for early 2031.

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reset

However, the project remains mired in controversy, particularly concerning a conditional 35 million euro investment grant awarded by the government. The decision to grant this funding has prompted scrutiny regarding the lobbying efforts and the decision-making process. Notably, Vapaavuori, a prominent figure in the National Coalition Party, had not registered any contacts with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo or ministries in the transparency register for lobbyists. Prime Minister Orpo has denied any corruption in relation to the project.

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too complex and risky