Pori city council approves €1.6 million loan for Isomäki ice rink renovation

The city council of Pori has approved a €1.6 million loan to replace the aging ice surface at Isomäki Arena, with a larger renovation of the facility already under consideration, reports Yle.

The ten-year loan, tied to a 12-month Euribor rate with a 0.9% margin, will fund the replacement of the rink’s flexible ice surface, which has reached the end of its operational lifespan. The project also includes updating the ice cover panels used during events like concerts—without them, the arena cannot host non-hockey functions.

Porin Ässät, the local elite league hockey team and the arena’s primary user, will contribute to costs by paying capital rent for the LED boards, where it sells advertising space.

During the brief council debate, opposition came from councillor Tomi Aalto (Finns Party), who questioned whether sufficient funds were being allocated to support the hockey club. Councillor Heikki Santavuo (National Coalition Party) countered that the facility serves broader community needs beyond hockey.

A more extensive renovation looms, as the arena’s roof also requires replacement. Preliminary estimates place the cost of a full overhaul at over €20 million, though the scope and timeline remain undecided. The city took full ownership of the arena three years ago after Ässät, facing financial difficulties, sold its stake in the facility.