Stadion Lekkoatletyczny w Opolu – stadium description

Located just 1km east of Odra Opole's historical stadium, the athletics venue was in operation already before WWII. After the war it was awarded to newly-founded Gwardia, a common name for sports clubs in socialist Poland. It remained under the club's auspice until 2005 but, like in many other cases yet again, it fell into grave disrepair following the regime change.

With a sports institution unable to maintain it, the stadium was transferred to the municipality in 2005, prompting first major changes. The city financed full athletics layout with 8-lane running track and all secondary elements needed to host major domestic and international events. The effort cost PLN 2.75 million.

The only thing missing was a new main stand able to hold athletes' changing rooms, media facilities and spectators. Though only barely meeting the capacity requirement of 1,000, it still became one of the best stadiums with a running track across Poland when opened in 2009.