PostFinance Arena

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PostFinance Arena
Before the game between SC Bern and the New York Rangers in the 2008 Victoria Cup
Before the game between SC Bern and the New York Rangers in the 2008 Victoria Cup
Earlier names

Allmend ice rink (1967–2002)
BernArena (2002–2007)

Data
place Mingerstrasse 12 3014 Bern , Switzerland
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Coordinates 602282  /  200 837 coordinates: 46 ° 57 '31 "  N , 7 ° 28' 7"  O ; CH1903:  602282  /  200,837
owner Swiss Prime Site AG
start of building 1965
opening 1967
Renovations 2007-2009
surface Concrete
ice rink
floor
PVC - Flooring
costs 105 million CHF (renovation 2007–2009)
capacity 17'031 seats (of which 5'635 seats)
Societies)
Events

The PostFinance Arena in Bern is currently 17'031 places the largest ice rink of Switzerland and one of the largest ice rinks in Europe . It was opened in 1967 and in 1970 the venue was given a roof. Particularly characteristic is the huge standing room with a capacity of 9,778 seats - the world's largest in an ice hockey stadium.

The PostFinance Arena was the main venue for the 2009 Ice Hockey World Championship . The arena was therefore extensively renovated before and during the 2008/09 season without affecting game operations.

spectator

The PostFinance Arena, which was formerly known as the Eisstadion Allmend, Allmendstadion or BernArena, serves as a venue for the SC Bern ice hockey club , which, with an average of 16,000 spectators, takes the top spot in Europe.

The number of viewers fell in the meantime, due to lack of success, so that z. For example, in the 2000/01 season , an average of “only” around 10,276 spectators attended the games. However, within four years the average rose again and has since moved between 15,000 and 16,000 viewers per game.

In the 2008/09 season , SC Bern set a European record in the PostFinance Arena with an average of 16,203 spectators for the fifth time in a row.

Redevelopment

Exterior view
Aerial view

With a view to the men's ice hockey world championship in 2009 , the BernArena was extensively renovated and rebuilt for CHF 105 million by the general contractor HRS Hauser Rutishauser Suter AG in Bern and was given the new name PostFinance-Arena by the sponsor PostFinance .

The main items of the renovation work were:

  • Standing ramp and seats

The interior of the stadium was largely preserved, especially the steep ramp with more than 10,000 standing places. The renovation of the two upper stands behind the gates and the redesign of the VIP area have created around 1,500 additional seats. The PostFinance Arena now offers 17'031 spectators.

  • New VIP zone

The previous VIP zone was torn down and integrated into a new five-story extension. A total of 21 VIP boxes were created . The number of VIP seats has been increased by around 500. The extension also houses restaurants and the new media area.

  • Training hall and service center

The five-storey extension also serves as a service center. The low-lying public ice rink in front of the stadium has given way to an underground training hall with 500 seats and 140 additional parking spaces for the service center. Part of the ground level area between the curling hall and the PostFinance arena is now used as a public ice rink in winter. In summer the area is available for various events .

  • New audio and video technology

The media cube above the ice rink is to be replaced by a modern version. The entire sound system in the ice rink and the surrounding area was also renewed.

  • Imposing facade

The outer shell of the PostFinance Arena was clad with cube-like elements that can be illuminated atmospherically at night. The PostFinance Arena also received a new stadium logo that can be easily recognized from several sides.

use

The stadium is primarily designed for ice hockey, but can also be used for other sports and events:

Sports

  • Ice sports: figure skating, curling and ice shows
  • Ball sports: basketball, volleyball, handball, tennis etc.
  • Motorcross racing
  • do gymnastics
  • Kart racing
  • Horse shows (dressage and show jumping)
  • Boxing (WBC World Championship fight December 12, 2009 between Vitali Klitschko and Kevin Johnson)

music

  • Concerts

Major congresses

  • General meetings
  • Product presentations
  • Employee events
  • Congress fairs

Party / festivals

  • Beach, techno parties
  • Music festivals
  • Cinema festivals

Technical specifications

  • Indoor ice rink: 2,400 m²
  • Training hall: 2,310 m²
  • Outdoor ice rink: 2,400 m²
  • Total ice surface : approx. 7,110 m²

The stadium before the renovation

  • Former Videotron

  • Fans from the side

  • Fans from the front

  • View from the standing ramp

Web links

Commons : PostFinance-Arena  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ PostFinance Arena - Facts & Figures. In: www.postfinancearena.ch. Retrieved July 4, 2016 .
  2. ↑ swiss-icehockey.ch, Bern will be the main venue for the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland
  3. ↑ http://www.nationalleague.ch/NL/spiele/de/spectators_nla.php?season=2009
  4. ↑ Renovation project ( Memento from October 5, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
  5. ↑ Bern, March 16, 2006: Media release - General planning application submitted for the renovation of the BernArena ( Memento of September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive )