The plan is that by the end of 2019 there are four new ice rinks built in Hungary. The cities that will have these will be Győr, Ajka, Szombathely and Érd. We have already done a preview on the new arena in Győr, now we will cover the facility that is being constructed in Ajka.
“We started construction on September 1st, 2017. The foundation is set and now the ground floor and the level above it is being built.” said Tamás Keresztény who is incharge of the construction. “The cooling system that will be underneath the ice and the ground level there is complete. The roof structure is also finished and the actual roof of the building is being put together at a separate site. This week will be starting the technical and machine work that will be installed in the building.”
Zoltán Becze, head coach for Ajka said that their will be seating on both long sides of the rink, which according to the plan will seat 328, but for other events the facility can hold up to 1,500 people. There will be eight locker rooms at the rink, with the snackbar and reception area also being able to be converted to a dressing room is needed. This building will eb idea to host any youth national team tournaments as well.
Currently the Ajka Óriások have teams in four different age groups this season. This is the first year that they have a team in the U14 B-league with team in the U12 B. At the U10 age group they have two teams, one in the B and one in the C league, with one in the U8 B.
“It is great that we have 18-20 players on the U14 team, overall we have about 100 players playing for the club. Our goal is not only to have more and more players playing in the club but to also produce quality players and to raise the level of hockey.” said Becze.
The Ajka Arena is planned to be completed in the fall of 2019.
