Stadion Stanisława Figasa – stadium description

Due to its immense scale, this stadium in Koszalin is among the most interesting cases of socialist sports architecture across Poland. It's been the home of Gwardia Koszalin (Gwardia, like Dynamo in DDR and Russia, was a name reserved for police-force clubs) since early 1970s.

Until 1971, the team had to use the home of its local rival, KS Bałtyk, even though by that time their own stadium had been under construction for over four years at that moment. It was carried out largely with the means of subbotnik (ideally voluntary but mostly involuntary work by soldiers, police officers and other workers). And, very fitting with political mood at that time, the stadium was named after the Polish-Soviet Friendship.

After aruous five years of construction, the giant was ready. It was able to host 15,000 people and was part of a truly impressive complex with training fields, indoor hall and extensive econdary infrastructure for sportsmen.

Already four years after initial opening the stadium went through its only expansion to date. Massive size of 25,000 was reached (with city population at just 75,000) in order to host the national “Dożynki” harvest festival.

Over its history the stadium played host to numerous Gwardia Koszalin games, largely in second and third division. In 1992, as in most cities after regime change, the stadium became municipally-owned and the city was unable to carry out modernisation and maintenance cost. After all, the only major upgrade dated back to 1975. It thus began falling into disrepair despite constant use and ceremony of renaming in honour of Stanisław Figas, local sports official and team manager.

Over time vast majority of the auditorium was sealed off and only a portion of the main stand remained open to spectators as a means of cutting operating cost. The dramatic situation resulted in a short-term solution in 2017, which saw three temporary stands erected between the field and old bowl. The work consumed PLN 2.5 million and should last until a final solution is found between complete reconstruction of the old stadium and construction of a new one.