Finland’s first two-storey ice rink to be built in Jyväskylä

Finland will get its first two-storey ice rink as part of a major renovation and expansion of Jyväskylä’s ice sports centre, reports national broadcaster Yle. The unique design, rare even globally, will stack two practice rinks vertically—one at ground level and another directly above it.

The project, set to begin next week, will transform the existing competition rink into a larger ice sports complex with four facilities: one main arena and three practice rinks. Construction will proceed in phases, with completion expected by the end of 2027.

Ville Niskakangas, CEO of the property company overseeing the Hippos sports centre, explained that the stacked design was chosen due to limited space on the site. “The plot didn’t allow for three side-by-side rinks,” he said. Similar two-storey rinks exist only in China, according to Niskakangas, who acknowledged the technical challenges, including condensation control and the need for an elevator to move ice-resurfacing machines between levels.

Work will disrupt operations during the upcoming season. Hallway widths will shrink, and part of the standing-section seating will remain closed until mid-season. The local JYP team and other clubs will return to the rink in autumn, but early-season home games may be delayed until mid-October, forcing more away matches at the start.

Construction will run in at least two shifts, possibly three, to minimise downtime. Parking areas adjacent to the rink will close as the new practice rinks are built on the current lot. The project also includes upgrades to the main rink’s subfloor and ice-making systems.