Skonto Hall Explained

Skonto Hall
Nickname:Skonto Arena
Fullname:Olimpiskā Skonto Halle
Location:Riga, Latvia
Opened:1996
Renovated:2006, 2010
Owner:Halle LV Ltd.
Capacity:8,000 (standing)
2,000 (seated)
Tenants:Skonto FC (2006–)

Skonto Hall (also known as Skonto Arena) is an arena in Riga, Latvia. In the lobby of Skonto there are conference halls, a gym, and an arena with an artificial football field,[1] which also hosts numerous exhibitions and concerts. The multi-purpose hall was originally built in 1996 and can accommodate either 2,000 seated spectators or 8,000 standing spectators.[2] It is immediately adjacent to Skonto Stadium.

History

Skonto Hall was renovated in early 2006, so that it could be used as one of the venues for the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships alongside the newly built Arēna Rīga. The hall also played host to the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, with a maximum capacity of 6,500.[3]

After the World Ice Hockey Championships, the arena was the home of Riga basketball club BK Skonto Riga, but it is also used as a conference and congress center.

Due to outstanding loan payments, the hall was taken over by asset management company Reverta in 2011. On 15 October 2013, an auction which included the stadium was planned.[4] At the auction, however, the property was not sold, but on 15 July 2014 it was acquired by SIA "SSA Assets".[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Skonto' hallē atklās modernu mākslīgo futbola laukumu. DELFI. Sports. January 26, 2011. delfi.lv. 17 July 2019.
  2. Web site: Skonto. Skonto - Riga This Week. 17 July 2019.
  3. Web site: Media claims "only 4000" tickets will be available to Eurovision shows. September 15, 2018. wiwibloggs. 17 July 2019.
  4. Web site: Par 12,5 miljoniem eiro plāno izsolīt 'Skonto' stadionu. October 7, 2013. delfi.lv. 17 July 2019.
  5. Web site: Jaunais īpašnieks par "Skonto" kompleksu jau pilnībā norēķinājies. July 17, 2014. Sportacentrs.com. 17 July 2019.