Olla » Works » Culture and leisure » Oulunkylä Sports Centre

New sports centre provides opportunities for everyone from enthusiastic hobbyists to elite athletes

Oulunkylä Sports Centre, artificial ice field and ice hall

Location: Helsinki, Finland
Completion year: 2025
Area: 7350 m²
Client: City of Helsinki

The service building and ice hall at Oulunkylä Sports Park had reached the end of their technical and functional life cycle. The facilities no longer met the needs of the growing number of users, the increasing variety of sports, or the diverse user groups.

In the comprehensive and demanding renovation designed by Olla, the service building was transformed into a versatile and modern sports environment that serves a wide range of users. The design process made use of user personas created specifically for the project. The new sports center was intended to support both competitive and recreational activities, enable diverse year-round use of the facilities, and strengthen the sense of community. Signage designed with different user groups in mind was also introduced to further enhance the accessibility and appeal of the spaces.

The renovation lead to new, flexible sports facilities that allow multiple activities to take place simultaneously. The interior concept was based on the building’s original color palette, which was highlighted and clarified. The result is energizing yet calm spatial entity, providing a clear backdrop for all activities taking place in the space. The renovated facilities – group exercise rooms, a gym, a multipurpose hall, and a café – integrate naturally into the broader sports park, which also got a newly planned outdoor gym. Accessibility and usability were improved through signage, the addition of an elevator, and gender-neutral changing rooms.

The outdoor rink’s ice-making equipment was upgraded, allowing the rink to be prepared in warmer weather and thus extending the outdoor skating season. In addition, technical measures were implemented in the ice hall to ensure its operation for the next ten years. Overall, the capacity of Oulunkylä Sports Center increased from 115,000 to 150,000 visitors per year, strengthening the sports park’s position as a welcoming and inspiring environment to all city residents.