Katariina Järveläinen, CEO of Espoo Metro Areena, says that the Jokers have been in contact recently. Helsinki Ice Hall was told last Friday that it cannot commit to the Joker’s project for the next season.
Helsinki Jokerit told on Monday for MTV Urheilu (you will switch to another service), that it plans to apply for a place in Mestis for next season. The background company Team Jokerit Oy submits its application to the board of the Jääkieksoliitto on Tuesday.
Leading Joker’s Mestis project Jarmo Koskinen said that he is confident that Jokerit will play for Mest next season. However, he did not comment on which hall Jokerit plans to play.
Koskinen commented For Helsingin Sanomat (you will switch to another service), that the Jokers have a strong belief and vision that they could start their season at the Helsinki Hall in Pasila. In the interview, Koskinen also talked about an alternative solution, but did not agree to comment on this further.
CEO of Espoo Metro Areena Katariina Järveläinen tells Urheilu that Jokerit has been in contact with the arena recently. According to Järveläinen, playing the Jokers in the hall is possible if there are free game days after Kiekko-Espoo’s games and other bookings and Mesti’s league schedule is flexible to the plan.
– If there are free days, it’s something worth finding out, Järveläinen says to Urheilu.
According to Järveläinen, the hall’s event calendar looks full.
– Sports events, a few concerts and business events have been booked and confirmed for the fall. The calendar is tight. You will see that when and if things progress as desired, says Järveläinen.
What all have the Jokers asked you about?
– I would say that I will not comment on this. Mostly willingness. We have held preliminary negotiations.
CEO of the Helsinki Ice Foundation Tom Kivimäki says that Jokerien inquired last week if they would have the opportunity to play Mestis matches at the Helsinki ice hall. The Ice Arena Foundation clarified the situation and said on Friday that the current booking situation does not allow commitment to the Joker’s project for the entire season’s games.
Is the door completely closed to Jokers?
– That’s a pretty strong expression, but for this upcoming season, it’s closed to the extent that we can’t promise them binding booking dates.
The city of Helsinki and the Ice Skating Foundation say in the press release that they require a transparent opening of Jokeri’s financing before the hall shifts can be agreed upon.