Niko Hänninen, chairman of the board of Kouvoi’s background company, says that the feedback the club has received has been understanding.
Kouvot has played continuously for 29 years at the men’s SM level. During that time, it has been able to celebrate four times the SM gold. The club announced on Tuesday that it may leave its place in the men’s basketball league.
Kouvoi’s background company said that the club will not be able to play economically profitably in its home arena in Mansikka-aho ball sports hall, especially in the future. The reasons are, among other things, the cramped space in the hall, the few adjacent sales points and weak services for company guests.
– We have not decided the matter in weeks or months. This has been thought about for a long time. It’s just a harsh fact that profitable business cannot be achieved in this hall, states the chairman of the board of Kouvot Basket oy Niko Hänninen.
The current board of Kouvot Basket oy announced that Kouvoten should not apply for a basketball league license for the 2025–2026 season, unless there is a definite message about getting a new hall in the city.
The board stated that the league license application for next season will also be reconsidered, if the city of Kouvola’s investments in ball playing conditions fail or move far into the future.
Hänninen says that he has received feedback from people on social media and face to face. He was surprised by the tone of the contacts.
– It has been surprisingly understanding. Supporters have been coming here for many years and they have also visited other clubs’ new arenas. They know what kind of conditions we have here, says Hänninen.
Hänninen has not received any contact from other basketball league clubs or the basketball association regarding the subject.
We want to maintain the discussion connection with the city
The city of Kouvola has not been in contact with Kouvoi since Tuesday’s announcement. Niko Hänninen says that there has been a dialogue with the club and the city about the conditions for ten years and the club is willing to continue.
Currently, a new multipurpose hall is being planned in Kouvola.
At the beginning of October, the city chose a consulting agency to look for a developer for the multipurpose hall planned for the Sports Park. Its task is to apply, tender and conduct negotiations in order to find an investor and operator for the arena.
The main purpose of the multipurpose hall would be sports activities and competition events, but it would also serve schools in the surrounding area.
The hall could be in use in August 2027.
– We don’t think it could be any earlier. Unfortunately, decision-making usually takes a long time, says Hänninen.
How much can the schedule stretch before Kouvot starts considering the league license again?
– We are not locked into any specific year, when the hall should be ready. We want to have an active discussion with the city treasury if and when this project moves forward.