Women’s Ice Hockey Federal Perfor­mance Centre: Major project gathers pace

Drilling and screwing are under way, and even the excavator is already in operation. After the underground areas of Stadthalle Villach were recently completely cleared out and partially stripped back, the actual construction work for the major sporting project is now beginning.

As a first step, the players’ and coaches’ changing rooms, as well as the sanitary facilities for EC VSV, are being renewed. This means that the first team, its coaches and support staff will move from the basement into the premises of the former VIP area, where work has gathered pace on a significantly enlarged and modern changing room area. In the basement, the ageing changing rooms and sanitary facilities for the blue-and-white youth teams are being brought up to modern, future-proof standards. “The teams will move into the new facilities this summer,” promises Mayor Günther Albel.

“We have succeeded in ensuring that this project, which is so important for Villach as a city of sport and ice hockey, is realised. Not only for the first team, but also for the many VSV talents who sensationally brought three Austrian championship titles to Villach this year, and for Villach’s strong women’s teams,” say Mayor Albel and City Councillors Erwin Baumann and Christian Pober.

VSV sporting director Gerald Rauchenwald: “The conversion is a step in the right direction. The first team, youth players and spectators absolutely deserve it.”

Planning for second rink under way

Planning is currently being fine-tuned for the second ice rink, including changing room facilities and multifunctional rooms. Due to the wave of rising costs, this project south of the Stadthalle had to be reassessed, as is well known. Tenders will be launched in the autumn. Construction will begin in spring 2025, with completion scheduled for 2026. Around 25 million euros will be invested in the Stadthalle project (based on the construction price index for the 2 quarter of 2023) by the City of Villach, the Province of Carinthia and the Federal Government.

The major project also includes the important ÖEHV Women’s Ice Hockey Federal Performance Centre, which ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann describes as a flagship project: “The Federal Performance Centre is to operate as a training base for the women’s national team and, as an academy location with a dual education system, drive forward the further professionalisation of our women’s ice hockey.”

Further construction measures as part of the Stadthalle project: The wing between the two ice rinks will house a new VIP club as well as a modern fitness and strength area for professionals, youth players and women. A new refrigeration and dehumidification system will also be installed.

Provincial Sports Director Arno Arthofer: “The construction of a second ice rink in Villach is another milestone for Carinthian sport. This upcoming sports infrastructure will be available to elite, grassroots and youth sport across numerous disciplines, which, particularly in the Villach region, are struggling with a lack of ice time. On behalf of the Province, we would like to thank the City of Villach and the Federal Ministry of Sport for jointly delivering this major sports project.”

“Ice sports not only have broad appeal, but are also the only fully professional sport in Villach. Renovation and new construction are therefore essential measures for the future, which we as a city are tackling with conviction,” agree Mayor Albel and City Councillors Baumann, Pober and Harald Sobe.