The Phoenix Hall, built in 2002, underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2021. As a result of the upgrade, the facility is also ready to host the 2022 Men’s Handball European Championship Group Matches and the preceding Short Track Speed Skating World Cup round, – said at the handover ceremony on October 20, 2021.
Next year will be the 20-year-old largest indoor multifunctional facility in Eastern Hungary, and since then there has been no major renovation of the building. As one of the venues for the 2022 Men’s European Handball Championships, the arena had to meet European and international federation standards. Improvements had to be made for the stable, sustainable operation of the hall, such as the internal information and IT system, the building services and the renovation of the external façade.
The safety of spectators visiting the events is also ensured by the camera system with a view of the entire auditorium and the new alarm and fire alarm system. A number of investments have been made to improve the comfort and higher quality of the fans: the water blocks, changing rooms, lodges, buffets have been renovated, the cloakroom capacity has been increased for faster access, and obsolete covers have been replaced. The on-site visuals are taken to a new level by a modern, multi-function scoreboard and LED perimeter, and the television broadcast is made more enjoyable by a uniform color scheme and state-of-the-art lighting.
“In Debrecen, very serious sports infrastructure developments have taken place in the last decade. Since 2010, more than HUF 20 billion in government support has arrived in Debrecen for this purpose. During this time, the Nagyerdei Stadium or the Debrecen Football Academy was built, but the development of the existing facilities was continuous: among others, the Hódos Imre Sports Hall and several elements of the Oláh Gábor Street sports complex were renewed, as well as university investments. As a result, Debrecen is one of the most developed cities in the country with a sports infrastructure. ”
– said László Papp, the mayor of Debrecen at the handover of the Phoenix Arena.
The renovation of the hall was jointly financed by BMSK Zrt. and the Hungarian Handball Federation. The investment cost about HUF 2.5 billion. Máté Kocsis, the president of the Hungarian Handball Federation, spoke about the fact that Debrecen had already proved to be an excellent host of world handball competitions at the 2004 and 2014 European Women’s Championships and the 2018 Junior Women’s World Championships.
“When we competed in the 2022 Men’s Handball European Championships, our goal was not only to organize a sporting event, not only to have a few matches, but also to showcase the country and the points of the country we are proud of, and Debrecen is such ” – said Máté Kocsis.
Member of Parliament Lajos Kósa, President of the Hungarian National Skating Association, emphasized that the World Cup round of short track speed skaters will be held at the Phoenix Arena in Debrecen before the handball EC, where the fate of many Olympic quotas may be decided.
“The Hungarian Handball Association has contributed to not only making the hall a handball profile, but also to making investments that help make ice as part of the renovation.”
– Lajos Kósa added.
Gábor Bardóczy, the government commissioner responsible for the 2022 men’s handball championship in Europe, said in this connection that handball is one of the most popular indoor sports in Hungary, with more than a hundred thousand certified players, and this comes with responsibility, which is why other sports new opportunities for renovation.
Roland Juhász, Secretary of State for Public Asset Management, said renovating a sports facility is not simply an investment, as it has a community organizing power, which is a tangible success for the nation.
In parallel with the renovation, the facility received a new look, as part of which Phoenix Arena became its official name. Sports fans will be the first in November 18-21. Between 13-17 January 2022, they can enjoy the services of the renewed Phoenix at the World Short Track Speed Skating Cup. Six matches will be played here in the group stage of the Hungarian-Slovak European Men’s Handball Championship.
Debrecen City Hall Press
