Swedbank Arena is a newly built indoor multipurpose arena for sports and culture events. The arena has given the inhabitants of Örnsköldsvik a wider offer of entertainment. You can both be entertained by MODO Hockey´s matches and music. Melodifestivalen, a music competition, will be held in Swedbank Arena the 17 th February.
The idea to build the arena was approved by the municipal council in Örnsköldsvik. Swedbank Arena was then built by Skanska and the sponsor of the arena is Swedbank.

The 26 th August last year was a day to remember for the inhabitants of Örnsköldsvik, especially for those who had tickets to the sold out inauguration of Swedbank Arena. The expectations were set high on the new arena which would replace MODO Hockey´s old homearena Kempehallen. But the spectators were not let down. In the entrance hall they were welcomed by the ALF-system which changes colours of the whole entrance hall. Then they were entertained by famous Swedish artists.

Hockey and music
MODO Hockey plays in Elitserien, the highest hockey league in Sweden. All of MODO Hockey´s home matches are played in Swedbank Arena, that´s 27 matches and possibly some matches in the play-off. Swedbank Arena isn´t only a hockey arena it´s an indoor multipurpose arena for sports and culture events. So besides hockey the inhabitants of Örnsköldsvik can be entertained by music in Swedbank Arena. Around Christmas last year there was a Christmas show in Swedbank Arena and the 17 th February the third of four competitions of Melodifestivalen will be held in Swedbank Arena. Melodifestivalen is a music competition where the representative of Sweden to the Eurovison Song Contest will be chosen. It didn´t take long before Melodifestivalen in Swedbank Arena was sold out. Because of the huge interest in Norrland it´s also possible to buy tickets to two rehearsals. Melodifestivalen will end a “schlager vecka” in Örnsköldsvik, which will contain performances by local artists and film showing on a big screen TV at the square in the city. It´s also going to be possible to see Melodifestivalen live on a big screen TV on a wall of snow at the big square.

Melodifestivalen is well known in Sweden and I think that Melodifestivalen will be positive for the new arena. Because it shows that Swedbank Arena can arrange a big event and that the request is high in Norrland and that can tempt other artists to perform in Swedbank Arena.

Restaurant VICTORY
Swedbank Arena has 7600 seats at sport events and 9800 seats at concerts and other events. The arena also has botes, sports bars, a hockey pub, kiosks, cafés and a souvenir shop. The restaurant VICTORY has a view over the water. During the hockey matches you can have dinner and enjoy the match. You can also have lunch at the restaurant during working days. Swedbank Arena offers the possibility to have conferences with different activities which can include hockey or a tour in the arena.

The municipal council and the sponsor Swedbank
Before the construction of the arena could begin the idea to build the arena had to be approved by the municipal council. The municipal council examinated the idea and then approved it. According to Håkan Heldner who works at the municipality management office the municipal council was very positive to building the arena centrally in town. One of the reasons to approve the idea was that the arena would contribute to more events and happinings in Örnsköldsvik. The municipal council considered that the arena would be very positive for Örnsköldsvik.
The construction of the arena cost approximately 175 million (Swedish kronor). The municipality of Örnsköldsvik wasn´t involved in the financing of the arena. But the municipality of Örnsköldsvik contributed with 13 million (Swedish kronor) of the 60 million (Swedish kronor) which also came from the county administration in Västernorrland and Evenemangsarenan in Örnsköldsvik AB. These 60 million (Swedish kronor) were used to build and improve the infrastructure around the arena. The municipality of Örnsköldsvik administrated the 60 million (Swedish kronor) and was then in charge of the reconstruction of streets, rearmament of the dock, plantation, construction of parking places and foot-paths.
The arena was built by Skanska, a building contractor which has built hundreds of arenas around the world. The construction started in September 2004 and ended in June 2006.
As you probably understand, the arena is sponsored by Swedbank. According to Kristine Rosenkrans, bank manager at Swedbank in Örnsköldsvik, Swedbank decided to sponsor the arena because they thought it would be a good change of trade mark. Kristine Rosenkrans also said that Swedbank considers that both Örnsköldsvik and MODO Hockey have good spirits and the arena is a place where they want to be seen.

Swedbank Arena is positive for Örnsköldsvik
Swedbank Arena has given the inhabitants of Örnsköldsvik a wider offer of entertainment. Before the arena was built Örnsköldsvik could mostly offer entertainments as sports, especially ice hockey. The wider offer contributes to the fact that more people can find a form of entertainment that they enjoy. Personally I think that this is very important, because entertainment makes people more happy and more satisfied with their lives. Entertainment is an important part of people´s lives and Swedbank Arena has really improved the entertainment in Örnsköldsvik. The arena also helps Örnsköldsvik to develop. Because when something new has been built it´s a proof of that the city has a positive view of the future, which tempts other companies to invest and expand in Örnsköldsvik. That positive view and the possibility to enjoy different types of entertainment also makes the city more attractive to live in.
I hope that Melodifestivalen can show Swedbank Arena´s potential and that both Swedish and foreign artists can find their way to Örnsköldsvik and entertain us.