| Heraklion Arena |
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NEW
arena
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All
photographs featured on this page are presented in smaller size.
You may enlarge any of them and see it in full size by simply clicking on it. |
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The
capacity of this new arena is 5,222. It
may host all indoor ball games (e.g. basketball, volleyball, handball
etc), as well as gymnastics. A second indoor hall has been constructed
next to the main arena. It will be used primarily for training purposes.
The arena is located in a district called Dyo Aorakia, in Heraklion (also Iraklio), on the island of Crete. It is east of the city centre, near the industrial area and the airport. The new arena is almost adjacent to the motorway leading from Heraklion to Aghios Nikolaos. |
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The
arena's construction commenced in 2003 and was planned to be finished
within 2005, at a cost of € 28 million.
Works, however, fell behind schedule, this mostly having to do with
the project's funding by the State General Secretariat of Sports.
It took 2 extra years, but it now seems that everything is ready for
this new arena to be handed over for use to the sports community of
Heraklion.
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It should be noted that local Iraklio Basketball Club planned to move
into the new arena as soon as it was ready. However, this was some
years ago, when the team still competed in the top A1 Division. Now
that they languish in lower divisions, such a move seems highly unlikely.
This would leave the new Heraklion Arena with no regular tenants.
Nevertheless, the Greek Basketball Federation have mentioned that
the National Team may use the arena as home for some of its games,
while the Greek Cup final is also likely to be hosted there in 2008.
The photographs featured here were shot in September 2007. You may see some older photos that were previously on this page and show the progress of works during construction. Also, have a look at the model of the arena that was revealed some years ago, helping you to make the comparison with the "end result". |
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