Club
Gazprom Neft opens Russia’s most advanced hockey arena in Omsk
The opening ceremony of G-Drive Arena, the home stadium of Avangard hockey club, took place in Omsk. Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Igor Levitin, Plenipotentiary Representative to the Siberian Federal District Anatoly Seryshev, Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprom Neft Alexander Dyukov, Governor of Omsk Region Alexander Burkov, Avangard HC Board of Directors Chairman Alexander Krylov and President of the RIHF Vladislav Tretiak took part in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the first official game of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on the ice of the new Omsk arena.
The arena is built within the framework of a public-private partnership between Gazprom Neft, the Governments of the Russian Federation and the Omsk Region. The project worth 12 billion rubles was financed by Gazprom Neft and the federal budget on a parity basis within the scope of a concessionary agreement. All works have been completed on time and within the approved budget. The arena has become the flagship project of the Home Towns social investment program of Gazprom Neft, which is the largest investor and taxpayer in the Omsk Region.
Omsk Arena with the capacity of 12 000 people is one of the biggest and most advanced arenas in the KHL. The architectural and technical concept of the complex incorporates international best practices of modern sports facilities. The main idea of its creators is multifunctionality, the ability to use the facility for both sports and public events. The steep stands angle improves the visibility and acoustics in the bowl. The complex of multimedia and concert equipment adds spectacularity at G-Drive Arena. The arena has one of the largest jumbotrons in the KHL.
The new arena has a high level of comfort and is adapted to the climate conditions of Siberia. The entrances are designed to ensure high throughput, and warm control pavilions provide the necessary comfort for spectators in wintertime. The complex includes convenient cafe areas, a large hockey store, a kids’ center, an e-sports club and the Avangard Hockey Club Museum. The specialized sports area is in place to ensure proper preparation of hockey players for games and recovery after games: 6 locker rooms, including those for athletes with disabilities, gyms, medical and massage rooms, rooms for coaches and referees, service rooms and other necessary infrastructure.
The arena is well-located and has good transport accessibility. New eco-friendly natural gas buses provided by Gazprom Neft to Omsk city will be used to bring spectators to games.
Igor Levitin, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation and First Vice-President of the Russian Olympic Committee:
“Let me convey greetings and congratulations of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin. In 2019, he set a task on formation of a concession for the construction of this beautiful sports palace. In the space of two years the well-coordinated work of the region and Gazprom Neft allowed us to get the best stadium in Russia as a gift. Congratulations on the return of Avangard home!”
Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprom Neft:
“Construction of the new hockey arena in Omsk is the largest infrastructure project of our Home Towns social investment program. It is a truly unique facility that will become the main sports and cultural center for residents of the entire region. It will host not only Avangard games, but also hockey tournaments, concerts, martial arts tournaments, ice shows and other events for Omsk people. The arena will become an important element of the regional system for training young hockey players, alongside with the central complex of the Avangard Academy built by Gazprom in 2019. The construction of G-Drive Arena is an excellent example of an effective public-private partnership between Gazprom Neft, federal and regional governments.”
Alexander Burkov, Governor of Omsk Region:
“The new home arena of Avangard hockey club is a wonderful gift for Omsk residents on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the region from the government of Omsk Region, Gazprom Neft and the President of Russia. G-Drive Arena is one of the world’s best sports facilities. It will become the architectural dominant of the left bank of Irtysh River and a point of attraction for Omsk residents and guests of Omsk city. I am sure that Avangard will feel the great support of fans at home and will be giving us wins on home ice.”
Alexander Krylov, Avangard HC Board of Directors Chairman:
“Today is a moment of history for Omsk hockey. We have managed to do what seemed to be impossible: we have built one of the best arenas in Russia. We did it in just two years and, as we promised, we brought our team home. G-Drive Arena will become not only a symbol of hockey wins, but also a cultural center of the city, where each person will find his own interest. I am sure that today we all are starting a new chapter in the history of Avangard and the entire city!”
