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3000 doors for Olympic Stadium

In August 2020, one of Finland’s most prestigious buildings came to life as the renewed Helsinki Olympic Stadium reopened its doors to the public. Locking solutions provider Abloy Oy’s latest security and access control technology will have a strong presence at the renewed stadium.

The Olympic Stadium has hosted both Finnish and international visitors for over 80 years. For many, the stadium is a place of memories – both big and small – that will not fade even as the years roll by. Now the stadium has been renewed for both future experiences and everyday services.

Since 1938, the Helsinki Olympic Stadium has been and will be Finland’s most important event arena, as well as a meeting hub for exercise, sports, entertainment, culture and travel. The stadium not only hosts major events, but is open 360 days a year with something happening every day. These daily recreational activities set requirements on security and access control.

All the different facilities in the stadium will have several uses in the future. On weekdays, citizens and sports clubs can use the facilities for training or as meeting spaces. During events, the facilities have their role in event production.

The logistics of the Olympic Stadium have also been greatly improved as an underground logistics tunnel will be built under the running track. This allows moving around the stadium indoors. The tunnel will also be used as a 400-metre indoor running track. Moreover, the building will have office spaces available for rent.

“Due to the requirements of a multi-purpose stadium, locking and security solutions play an important role. ABLOY solutions will affect the stadium’s usability and overall safety significantly,” says Ilkka Rautakivi, estate and security manager of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

“We estimate that about one million visitors a year will visit the Olympic Stadium. In total, we have about 2500 doors and locking points. They all can be opened with a single key. On top of that, there are about 200 lockers in the changing rooms, which will be equipped with electronic code locks,” says Rautakivi.

“The Olympic Stadium is an exceptionally multifaceted building in terms of security solutions. We provided the property with a wider-than-usual range of our solutions. At arenas, it is important to make sure that the emergency exits function perfectly. ABLOY electric locks that secure rapid evacuation can also be found at the Warsaw National Stadium in Poland, which opened in 2012 and accommodates approximately 55 000 people,” says Jussi Ahvalo, vice president, International Sales, Abloy Oy.

Secured since 1938

“Abloy and the Olympic Stadium have a long history in common. The building was opened in 1938, and ABLOY locks have ever since secured the premises as well as protected the music and sports enthusiasts visiting. Now the stadium’s doors have received the upgrade they deserve, as PROTEC2 CLIQ and ABLOY OS solutions will bring the benefits of electromechanical locking and access control to the stadium,” Ahvalo continues.

The Olympic Stadium is part of the vibrant urban environment in Helsinki. The operation of the stadium also has far-reaching economic effects on the whole society.

“After the improvement project, the production impact of the stadium is estimated to be approximately 130 million Euros per year. In addition, the regional economic impact of the events will be approximately 80 million Euros per year. Thanks to the improvements and renovation, it is possible to organise major sports and entertainment events in Finland in the future,” says Marju Paju, marketing and communication director of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

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