The completion of the Tampere arena was celebrated a year ago and it has received accolades throughout the past year. The latest spike came this week from the global competition for sports arenas.
The Tampere arena, which opened its doors to the public a year ago, has received accolades throughout the year. This week it was successful at the global stadium design and development awards in Manchester. The win came in the Project of the Year category.
CEO of Tampere Arena Marko Hurme believes that the recognitions tell about the successful work that has been done in Pirkanmaa.
– We have gained a certain status thanks to technology and Finnish know-how. Demand has come from, for example, Colombia and the United Arab Emirates.
According to Hurmee, the Tampere arena, chosen as the project of the year in Manchester, is an example of a team game made in many different areas.
– It took 5,500 people to complete this project. From the first discussions in 2015 to the fact that the doors were opened on December 3, 2021.
Hurme says that, for example, installing the LED surfaces of the Tampere arena was a project that required cooperation with 24 local companies.
The Tampere arena was also nominated in the Innovation category in Manchester, but the win went to Istanbul, Galatasaray’s home arena.
Transparency as a differentiating factor
The Tampere arena has reaped success both domestically and internationally. Last summer, Hurme visited the victory column at the award event, where the competition category was sponsorship, sales and marketing.
Although the prize money did not come from the most recent win, according to Hurmee, it was not the most important thing in principle.
– What warms the most is the recognition from colleagues around the world, because they know what it’s all about.
Of course, the victory of the Tampere arena was not obvious, as six sports arenas around the world competed in the same category. One of them was the scene of the final match of this year’s World Cup.
Hurme emphasizes how important transparency is in doing things.
– Yes, fellow competitors pull me to be humble. I believe that the jury’s decision was influenced by the fact that each of us responds to our own cries. Each of us tells in advance what we are aiming for. I believe that our strength is that we promise what we are about to give and then also exceed it.
– Maybe it’s a bit of a Finnish way, Hurme continues.