ATHENS - Helleniko Olympic Arena (14,500)

ayanamikun · February 27th, 2012, 09:51 PM

Helleniko is the name of Athens old airport, used as the second main site of the 2004 venues. The two large old aircraft hangars belonging to Olympic Airlines there were converted to the Helliniko Fencing Hall (5,000) and the Hellenic Olympic arena. Michaniki and EllisDon Construction Corporation completed them on May 31, 2004, at a cost 48,992,055 euro, very low for the size of the venues.

The indoor hall is very compact for its size unlike the other cavernous halls in Athens, built in the previous decades, with a low ceiling, restricted from the dimensions of the hangar's skeleton, making it the most NBA like basketball hall in Greece.....

After the Games, the arena got many tenants and became the home court of Panionios BC, Panellinios BCm AEK Athens BC and since 2005 hosts every year the finals of the Greek Cup.

Unfortunately the large capacity and the big distance from the city center as well as the huge delays with metro line expansion to Helleniko make the use of the arena highly problematic. All 3 tenant teams suffered from low attendances, and gradually left for smaller halls, unable to support their expenses there. AEK Athens was the last one to leave, in early 2011. Initially, in order to deal with the problem, the second tier seats were to be reduced / not sold... Some were covered, others were removed from behind the screens.... In the last couple of cup finals though, most seem to be in place, but the tier is still not sold
Note the police and the limited allowed number of fans in the finals last year...

The reason why this is worthy of a thread is because a few months ago during the summer of 2011, Olympiakos owners (Angelopoulos brothers) are thinking of moving from the vintage SEF to Helleniko. the most important thing is that the Helleniko metro station, after years of delays, will be ready within a few months, in 2012, increasing exponentially the accessibility to the site.

With no tenants left this year, and with the coastal site getting more and more popular for investors, plus the metro, the chances of Olympiakos moving next season are high, rearranging the arena and recommissioning all tiers.

Dianatomia · February 28th, 2012, 07:38 PM

Let's hope that Olympiakos goes to Hellenikon arena because SEF is not a basketball arena.

N23SK · February 28th, 2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianatomia

Let's hope that Olympiakos goes to Hellenikon arena because SEF is not a basketball arena.

Is there any plan to move there or it's just your opinion? And will Olympiakos fans accept this move? Although this hall is far better for derby matches against PAO.

Dianatomia · February 28th, 2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N23SK

Is there any plan to move there or it's just your opinion? And will Olympiakos fans accept this move? Although this hall is far better for derby matches against PAO.

They had a plan to renovate the arena and move there in the summer of 2010. But during that time AEK Athens was playing there and Olympiakos didn't want to share the arena.

Now the arena is free and I'm sure they will reconsider. I think the fans won't complain. At least you can get your moneys worth and enjoy viewing basketball in that arena. Also, the annual rent of Hellenikon arena is three times cheaper than their current arena.

PAO13 · March 3rd, 2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N23SK

Is there any plan to move there or it's just your opinion? And will Olympiakos fans accept this move? Although this hall is far better for derby matches against PAO.

They where really close to move last summer, but I don't know why they canceled the plans at the end. Their fans didn't seem to mind a move.

PAO13 · March 3rd, 2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayanamikun

The two large old aircraft hangars belonging to Olympic Airlines there were converted to the Helliniko Fencing Hall (5,000) and the Hellenic Olympic arena.

Do you have some pictures of the inside of the fencing hall? Seems impossible to find.

ayanamikun · March 3rd, 2012, 03:32 PM

Only one I could find

Olympiakos to Helliniko?

George_D · October 18th, 2012, 05:20 PM

George_D · October 18th, 2012, 05:22 PM

George_D · October 18th, 2012, 05:24 PM

George_D · October 18th, 2012, 05:25 PM

2004 summer Olympics

George_D · October 18th, 2012, 05:27 PM

February 27th, 2012, 09:51 PM	#1
ayanamikun ๏_๏ ఠ_ఠ ಠ_ಠ Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 655 Likes (Received): 448	ATHENS - Helleniko Olympic Arena (14,500) Helleniko is the name of Athens old airport, used as the second main site of the 2004 venues. The two large old aircraft hangars belonging to Olympic Airlines there were converted to the Helliniko Fencing Hall (5,000) and the Hellenic Olympic arena. Michaniki and EllisDon Construction Corporation completed them on May 31, 2004, at a cost 48,992,055 euro, very low for the size of the venues. The indoor hall is very compact for its size unlike the other cavernous halls in Athens, built in the previous decades, with a low ceiling, restricted from the dimensions of the hangar's skeleton, making it the most NBA like basketball hall in Greece..... After the Games, the arena got many tenants and became the home court of Panionios BC, Panellinios BCm AEK Athens BC and since 2005 hosts every year the finals of the Greek Cup. Unfortunately the large capacity and the big distance from the city center as well as the huge delays with metro line expansion to Helleniko make the use of the arena highly problematic. All 3 tenant teams suffered from low attendances, and gradually left for smaller halls, unable to support their expenses there. AEK Athens was the last one to leave, in early 2011. Initially, in order to deal with the problem, the second tier seats were to be reduced / not sold... Some were covered, others were removed from behind the screens.... In the last couple of cup finals though, most seem to be in place, but the tier is still not sold Note the police and the limited allowed number of fans in the finals last year... The reason why this is worthy of a thread is because a few months ago during the summer of 2011, Olympiakos owners (Angelopoulos brothers) are thinking of moving from the vintage SEF to Helleniko. the most important thing is that the Helleniko metro station, after years of delays, will be ready within a few months, in 2012, increasing exponentially the accessibility to the site. With no tenants left this year, and with the coastal site getting more and more popular for investors, plus the metro, the chances of Olympiakos moving next season are high, rearranging the arena and recommissioning all tiers.

October 18th, 2012, 05:25 PM	#11
George_D Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 288 Likes (Received): 5	2004 summer Olympics Last edited by George_D; March 26th, 2013 at 05:39 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

February 28th, 2012, 07:38 PM	#2
Dianatomia Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 161 Likes (Received): 4	Let's hope that Olympiakos goes to Hellenikon arena because SEF is not a basketball arena.

March 3rd, 2012, 03:32 PM	#7
ayanamikun ๏_๏ ఠ_ఠ ಠ_ಠ Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 655 Likes (Received): 448	Only one I could find Olympiakos to Helliniko?

October 18th, 2012, 05:20 PM	#8
George_D Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 288 Likes (Received): 5

October 18th, 2012, 05:22 PM	#9
George_D Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 288 Likes (Received): 5

October 18th, 2012, 05:24 PM	#10
George_D Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 288 Likes (Received): 5

October 18th, 2012, 05:27 PM	#12
George_D Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 288 Likes (Received): 5