Amazing Architecture

laski Stadium is currently the oldest object in Poland supposed to support Euro 2012 (built in 1951-56). At first the stadium held approximately 80.000 seating places (on wooden benches) and 20.000 standing places. In 1963 a record has been noticed – over 120.000 sport fans came to see game between Gornik Zabrze and Austria Vien in European Cup Of National Champions (past name of Champions League) . This arena is only in reserve in case something go wrong with other stadium buildings.

Slaski Stadium in 2005. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.

In mid 2009 stadiums capacity was approximately 47.000 seats and it was in half-way reconstructed after another re-built. By this time stadiums construction was obsolete – half of tribunes was based on ground wall. Not another reconstruction is on the way. The whole stadium will get two-level up-to-date tribunes with all modern technologies and solutions.

Slaski Stadium in late 2009. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.

After final reconstruction stadium will get semi-transparent roof and will hold 55.211 seats (51.480 after deduction of VIP seats, places for cameras, journalists etc.). There will be also 571 parking places (18 for buses) and 1451 business-class places. Stadium entrance will be divided to 9 main gates with 104 turnstiles, each of capacity 500 people/h. New light system will have power of 2000 lux. There will be also two rooms with panoramic view on the south side of arena.,

Slaski Stadium final look. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.

There are still doubts about the color of finished stadium. Some people say that it should be white and red (Polish national colors) as the stadium is former National Stadium (new one is being built in country capital – Warsaw). Local lobbers wishes to see yellow and blue seats (Silesia colors) or just blue (the stadium was totally blue after installing seats). This discussion shows how it can be difficult to achieve compromise in the most simple things.

Slaski Stadium roof construction example. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.

Slaski Stadium final look. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.

Slaski Stadium final look. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.

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.