Kiev’s Olympic Stadium Opens for Euro 2012

Kiev officially reopened their Olympic Stadium, which plays host to the European soccer championship the UEFA Euro 2012, after a €500 million refit, including the installation of 265 Armagard LCD Enclosures protecting the stadium’s screen network.

The 70,000-seater stadium, which is to host next year’s championship final amongst other games, was officially opened by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and featured Latin pop sensation, Shakira.

Ukraine is joint hosts to next year’s championship with Poland, the first time either nation has hosted such an event, with the Olympic Stadium, originally built in the 1920’s, having to go through serious renovations to ensure it is equipped to cope with the demands of a modern football tournament.

Ukraine Football Federation president Hryhoriy Surkis, said: “The stadium has been renovated to the highest standards. It will become one of the 10 best stadiums in Europe, in reality a new arena with all the latest technology, which can host not only football but athletics.”

Armagard’s PDS enclosure

Throughout the stadium, a network of digital signage screens provide part of this technology package, providing crucial information around the stands and ensuring visitors, most of whom will be different language speakers, have a safe and enjoyable time at the event. However, running a digital signage network in the Ukraine, which faces extremely cold weather conditions during the winter, provided a challenge.

The screens in the Kiev stadium were installed both indoors and out and as the Ukrainian capital regularly races sub-zero temperatures, the installers needed a solution that would protect the network during these cold climatic conditions.

Armagard provided the solution by supplying 265 of their protective PDS LCD enclosure range, which contain climatic systems that ensure the screens around the stadium remain at the optimum operating temperature, regardless of the ambient temperature. Armagard’s PDS range comes in a variety of sizes and are also weatherproof enabling both indoor and outdoor use. Manufactured from mild steel, Armagard’s PDS enclosure also provide comprehensive physical protection—essential for an environment that will see 350,000 football fans use that facilities during the tournament.