Euro 2012 stadiums – Metalist Kharkiv Stadium
Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv is also known as Oblasny SportKomplex (OSK) Metalist. The first construction of this arena started in 1925 and the first name chosen for new building was… Traktor Stadium, sponsored by the local tractor production company. During World War II the stadium was renamed to Dzerzhinets Stadium after the name of Felix Dzerzhinsky – first head of Cheka. Last change of name did happen in 1967 and the stadium achieved current name and capacity of 10.000 seats.
The stadium was renovated multiple times. The first one in mid-1960s, second in 1970 and last four years. After the second re-build stadium capacity reached 30.000 seats. At this time also the first roof and drainage system appeared. The third renovation started in 1979 and after demolition of a part of the stadium was hold until 1998 when the whole enterprise was resurrected. It appears that the third renovation lasted 20 years. The fourth set of renovations was ordered as a part of Ukraine’s Euro 2012 preparations. the whole capacity of stadium was increased to 41.411 seats. There is new roof and some general renovation elements and aesthetics quality increase.
The fully renovated stadium was opened on december 5 2009 and now Metalist Stadium is finished and fully prepared for the upcoming Euro 2012 event.
Take a look of some of the pictures of the completed arena:
Metalist Stadium. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
Metalist Stadium. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
Metalist Stadium. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
Metalist Stadium. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
Metalist Stadium. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
Tags: Euro 2012, Euro 2012 stadiums, Sport, sport arenas, Uraine