Stadion Skry Warszawa – design description

Why does Skra Warszawa's stadium need modernisation?

In June 2018, the municipal authorities of Warsaw announced an architectural and urban planning competition for a concept to modernise the entire Skra sports complex, including the main stadium. At the same time, there was a dispute between the city officials and the club, as the 40-year agreement to use the facilities expired in 2014, but Skra refused to return the land to the municipality. Opened in 1953, the stadium had not been modernised for many years and its condition had deteriorated drastically in the 20th century. Due to the lack of renovations, the city asked the club to hand over the facility for the first time in 2008, even before the end of the lease period.

The long court battle was only resolved at the end of January 2021, when the court of appeal upheld the first instance ruling, ordering the club to hand over the property to the city. Before that happened, the building supervision ordered the closure of the facility due to its condition threatening the health and life of people using it, and the venue was cut off from the water and electricity supply. The facility has also become an election campaign field, with deputy minister of justice Patryk Jaki appearing at the stadium in 2018 and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki holding a conference at the stadium in 2020, calling for the facility to be handed over to the state so that it could be modernised.

What does the 2018 modernisation concept include?

The architectural competition launched in June 2018 was settled in October of the same year. It was won by the concept of the Andrzej Wadas studio from Gdańsk (author team: Weronika Marek, Anna Odulińska, Aleksander Wadas). The idea was to preserve to a large extent the existing elements of the premise, while the new additions were designed on the basis of the original compositional axes. The main stadium was to retain its U-shaped form, and the renovated stands would be fully covered with a roof. A major change to the site's surroundings would be the creation of a water reservoir behind its southern, open arch.

The concept was to revitalise the whole area of the complex, diversifying it with new hills and elements of small architecture. The park was to include a running track with facilities for amateur runners, as well as outdoor gyms, volleyball and basketball courts and a skate park. In winter the complex was to enable active leisure in the form of sledging, cross-country skiing or skating. The modernised secondary stadium was to receive a four-track, tartan running track, becoming a training base for the main stadium. According to the assumptions of those times, the redevelopment of the complex was to be carried out in two stages: in the first stage the works were to cover the revitalisation of the whole area, and in the second the main stadium was to undergo modernisation.

How will the surroundings of Skra Warsaw stadium be revitalised?

In February 2022 a tender was announced for the implementation of the first stage of the investment, covering the revitalisation of the area (over 13 ha) without modernising the main stadium. The contract was signed on June 6, 2022 with a consortium of companies Tamex Obiekty Sportowe and Gardenia Sport. The value of the contract is nearly PLN 52 million. Within the scope of the task, first, a secondary athletics stadium will be created with a four-lane, tartan running track, a maintenance building and a stand for 500 people, which is to supplement the main stadium. The revitalised complex will also include a full-size rugby pitch, as well as volleyball and basketball courts, a running track and other facilities for recreational sports. The reconstructed complex around the Skra stadium is due to be completed in 2025.

Will an indoor arena for Legia Warszawa be built next to the Skra stadium?

On the occasion of signing the agreement, Rafał Trzaskowski, mayor of Warsaw, also announced that the construction of a new sports hall for 6-7 thousand spectators is planned next to the stadium, to be used by the basketball players of Legia Warszawa (shortly before, the team was runner-up for the Polish championship, recalling its greatest successes from the 1950s and 1960s). According to the announcement, the construction of the arena is a priority for the city and is to be completed before the modernisation of the main stadium. Initial estimates suggest that its construction may cost around PLN 100 million.

When will Skra Warszawa's stadium be modernised?

At the beginning of June 2022 new renderings were made public, showing the appearance of the new arena, as well as a new vision for the modernisation of the main stadium. The concept, commissioned by the city hall, was prepared by BeMM Architekci studio. In September 2022 a tender for full design documentation based on the concept is to be announced. However, the timing of the investment is unknown. Loose estimates indicate that the thorough modernisation of the Skra stadium may consume around PLN 500 million. The enterprise, in order to come into effect, will probably have to receive support from the state budget.

What will the modernized Skra Warsaw stadium look like according to the concept from 2022?

According to BeMM Architekci's vision, the modernised stadium will also maintain its characteristic U-shaped form. The stands will receive a canopy that will fully cover the northern curve, but along the straights it will gradually narrow, leaving some of the audience seats uncovered. The roof will be mostly supported by pillars, although two external masts will reinforce the structure on the northern arch.

In the lower parts of the stands a narrow strip of the lower tier will be created, which will be extended into the, so far completely open, southern arch. In the space behind the southern arch a new overground structure will be created. The distinctive tower at the western stand will be relocated to a new location (closer to the southern end of this stand). The capacity of the modernised stadium will be 25 000 spectators. The facility will be used primarily for athletics and will meet the requirements of international competitions in this field.