The Ministry of Culture will not provide electricity support to Hamar municipality for operating the Viking ship this winter. Then it is uncertain how long the municipality will be able to pay the electricity bill. – We have to get this resolved, otherwise there will eventually be no ice. If there is no government support, we have to drive until the coffers are empty. This is how it is, says mayor Einar Busterud to Hamar Arbeiderblad. One day of full activity in the hall corresponds to the electricity consumption of a household for an entire year. The World Cup may break: – Will pain It is urgent to find a solution. – It is dramatic. We are terrified that we will destroy something that we have built up over a long, long time. The Viking ship is an icon in Norwegian sports history, says skating president Mona Adolfsen. Chairman of the HOA, Randi B. Sætershagen, says that there will be European Championships in January. They have committed to that. But then they may have to let the ice melt. It will not only affect upcoming championships, but children and young people who use the skating facility, and everyone in Eastern Norway who bets on skating as their sport. CONCERNED: Chairman of the HOA, Randi B. Sætershagen is concerned about the offer to children and young people if they have to stop putting ice in the Viking ship. Photo: Arne Sørenes / news Norway has also been awarded the WC in 2025, and by 1 December the Norwegian Skating Association must know whether they can take on the event. With the WC comes an obligation to organize the World Cup in the seasons 23/24, 25/26 and 26/27. There is no other place in Norway than the Viking ship where this can be arranged. – It will hurt deeply and sincerely, if we are to go to our international federation and say that we cannot refrain from that. We are expected from the international federation to be able to stand up for it, says skating president Adolfsen. MUST BE SOLVED: Ice skating president Mona Adolfsen says the Viking ship is absolutely crucial for ice skating in Norway. Photo: Jane Rasmussen, news – Not hanging on The Skøyteforbundet and Hamar municipality presented the problem to the Ministry of Culture in October. They refused to help, and have forwarded the case to the Ministry of Local Government and District Affairs. Hamar municipality is now considering whether the hall must be used for something other than skating, which requires far less electricity, for example a football hall. Sports president Berit Kjøll believes it will be madness. – I would strongly encourage the parties to come together and find a solution. This is about children and young people, recruitment and international championships that we have seriously undertaken to arrange. “I don’t think we can do that to suddenly close the door on that because of high electricity prices,” says Kjøll. NO: We simply cannot close the doors because of high electricity prices, says Sports President Berit Kjøll. Photo: Terje Pedersen She points out that the government in the Hurdal platform says that they must work to bring major events to Norway. – This is not a matter of course. Now we have been lucky enough to get it. And then we have to take that responsibility upon ourselves. The country’s most expensive in operation Hamar municipality owns the Viking ship. But it is a national facility and the municipality believes that more people must now help pull the load. – Hamar municipality cannot spend NOK 20 million on ice in the Viking ship. It is a facility that is used by the entire country. And it is by far the country’s most expensive plant in operation in terms of energy. IMPOSSIBLE: Mayor of Hamar, Einar Busterud (BBL) says it is impossible for Hamar municipality to foot the bill alone with today’s electricity prices. Photo: Knut Røsrud / news Mayor Einar Busterud believes the matter can be resolved either by the Viking ship receiving the same electricity support that sports clubs receive for their facilities, or by the State spitting in money. The municipality will not extend the national facilities agreement until they know how the framework conditions will develop. – I am afraid of the long-term use of the Viking ship as an ice-skating arena, says Busterud.
ttn-69
The future of the Viking ship as a national facility for ice skating is uncertain due to stream price – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
