Lucerne: Study contract for Pilatus Arena begins

The study contract is intended to show how a multifunctional sports and event arena and the apartments required to finance it can be realised on the relatively narrow site. The aim is to find an urban, architectural and operational solution. This should represent added urban value for both the site and the new Mattenhof district, writes Pilatus Arena AG in a statement. The company is backed by Helvetia Insurance and Eberli Sarnen as co-investors.

In the first phase, the site will be developed by teams of architects. The architects are to make statements on volume, density, realization possibilities and outdoor space design, but also on traffic and access. Based on the results, further planning steps or adjustments will be made if necessary.

Groundbreaking could take place in 2019

"The narrow area and the financing of the hall through shell uses are major challenges for the teams," said Toni Bucher, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus Arena AG. Those responsible expect the final result to be available at the end of 2017. The development plan will then be drawn up, and the groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 2019.

The investment volume for the Pilatus Arena will amount to around CHF 30 million. The arena will be financed by contributions from the canton and the federal government, by private investors and by the added value to be realised by the use of the shell on the site. The land on which the Pilatus Arena is being built in the Mattenhof area in the municipality of Kriens belongs to the city of Lucerne. The operation of the arena is planned without any operating contributions from the public sector.