Century-old Harju stadium in Jyväskylä undergoes precision renovation ahead of Kaleva Games

The critical phase of renovating Jyväskylä’s 100-year-old Harju stadium is underway as workers install a new high-performance surface ahead of the July Kaleva Games, reports Finnish broadcaster Yle.

The stadium’s track and field areas are being resurfaced with a Mondo synthetic coating, a meticulous process requiring six to seven weeks of handcrafted installation. Some 20 tonnes of adhesive will be applied by hand to secure the heavy mats, explained Ossi Kiramo, technical director of contractor Spesifix Oy. The work is being carried out by an Italian specialist team.

Jyväskylä’s maintenance supervisor Arto Terho called the track installation the most critical part of the renovation. “The stands may draw attention, but the final judgment will be on the track—how precisely it’s been built,” he said.

The renovated Harju stadium will meet the International Association of Athletics Federations’ Class 2 certification, joining Finland’s top-tier venues like Helsinki Olympic Stadium and Tampere’s Ratinan Stadion. Despite its classification, Kiramo—who has overseen six renovations of Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium since the 1980s—stressed that the precision work matches that of higher-category tracks.

To ensure compliance with strict regulations allowing just 0.1% elevation variance along running directions, the base was machine-leveled and asphalted before final grinding and sealing. Kiramo confirmed the surface now varies by no more than 10 millimeters across the entire area. Water tests will verify drainage before the track markings are applied with equal precision.

Originally opened in 1924, Harju Stadium’s reconstruction began with demolition in November. The project, including a new 3,000-seat main stand already completed, is scheduled for final delivery by late June.