Demolition of condemned wooden stadium stand delayed again in Vaasa after new complaint

A long-running dispute over the demolition of a condemned wooden stand at Hietalahti Stadium in Vaasa has intensified after a local heritage association filed a new complaint against zoning plans, Finnish broadcaster Yle reports.

The Vaasa Building Heritage Association lodged an appeal with the administrative court against the city’s zoning proposal, which would permit the demolition of the 1930s-era stand. As a result, the city must now spend €200,000 to reinforce the structurally unsound structure to ensure the stadium can host matches during the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Mika Lehtonen, Vaasa’s director of sports services, confirmed the reinforcement and partial boarding of the stand’s front are the only viable options. “This is the only way forward. No other measures are possible,” he said. Without these steps, the safety barrier around the stand—currently too close to the pitch—cannot be removed, making the venue ineligible for international matches.

The stand, built in 1936–1937, has been closed since 2022 due to its deteriorating condition. While the city holds a temporary six-year permit for the reinforced structure, officials insist it will never reopen. “I can confidently say this will never be used again,” said Marko Heinonen, deputy chair of the city board, criticising the complaint as “absurd” given the stand’s irreversible decline.

Heritage advocates have accused the city of neglecting maintenance, a claim Heinonen partially acknowledged, citing decades-old failures in upkeep, such as unchecked roof truss tightening. Despite the delays, plans for a permanent wind and noise barrier to replace the stand will be addressed later.

The dispute has drawn widespread local attention, with Heinonen noting daily public reactions. “Wherever I go, someone involved in football stops me to share their opinion,” he said. The heritage association declined Yle’s request for comment.

The city will begin designing the reinforcement work immediately, with boarding possible during winter. Once the zoning plan gains legal force, demolition will proceed.