The multipurpose sport center Chizhovka-Arena, built for the 2014 IIHF World Championship, is a high-tech facility. Thanks to its multifunctionality and cutting-edge equipment, the arena is suitable for hosting top sport events, training sessions and entertainment shows. During the Second European Games in 2019 Chizhovka Arena will be hosting judo and karate competitions. BelTA learned how many days it will take to turn the ice arena into a dojo (a martial arts training facility).
"The sport complex consists of two arenas – the Big one and the Small one, each comprising a number of premises and gyms," says head of the PR and Media Department Alexander Abdulkhakov. Apart from various sport events, Chizhovka Arena often hosts concerts. The 9,000-seat arena has already hosted such famous bands as Imagine Dragons, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Nightwish.
The Big Arena is currently iced. The ice will be removed in November, and the ground will be converted into a tennis court. The Fed Cup final will be held here.
"It takes four days to re-equip the arena for another sport competitions. All glasses, boards, ice and the marking are removed. A special floor covering is placed. During the ice melting process, the pumps that supply water are turned off and the air conditioners that supply warm air are turned on. Water goes into a special drainage channel situated around the arena," says head of the ice department Dmitry Viduta.
The organizers say that they will need exactly four days to transform the ice arena into a martial arts temple for the Second European Games.
Some 72 tonnes of clean water is used to make the Big Arena. In summer, the water is removed for regular technical works. It takes longer, up to seven days, to restore the ice rink. Thin layers of water are sprayed from a special device to frost the plate.
This year Chizhovka-Arena has already hosted about 15 international competitions, including volleyball, tennis, and handball tournaments. Not long ago the Vladimir Botvinnik Boxing Memorial Tournament gathered over 100 athletes from eight countries at Chizhovka Arena.
The sport complex has gyms and facilities for crossfit, martial arts, billiards, fitness and press conferences.
"It is a new arena. Scheduled repairs are held every year. The arena hosted the IIHF World Championship in 2014, which demonstrates a high level of this sport facility," Alexander Abdulkhakov said.
The arena has about 15 catering facilities, which number will be increased for the Second European Games.
Yet, the arena has been living its normal life, hosting different competitions and training sessions for young hockey players. The sport complex will face its toughest test in a year and a half, when thousands of fans will pack it to celebrate a big sport festival. "As soon as we get the list of requirements, we will do everything at its best," said Alexander Abdulkhakov.
The multipurpose cultural, sports and entertainment facility Chizhovka-Arena was opened on 7 November 2013. In January 2014 the arena hosted the 10th Christmas International Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the prize of the President of Belarus.
Architect Marat Grodnikov designed the arena as two drops of water flowing into each other. The building of a glass and metal mix integrates harmoniously into the landscape of the Chizhovka water reservoir.
Alexander Zhibul
Photo by Andrei Pokumeiko
BelTA
