This is what it looks like in the new Puster hockey temple: A tour

On Friday the time has finally come: after 4 away games, HC Pustertal will play in front of their own team for the first time. The newcomer to the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL) will not welcome the “red bulls” from Salzburg in the venerable Rienz Stadium, but in the beautiful Intercable Arena.

I was able to get an idea of what awaited the fans and opponents there a few days before the first puck drop during a tour of the Bruneck showcase project together with Ivo Pezzei.

Ivo Pezzei played a major role in the fact that the most modern multifunctional arena in Italy with a focus on ice sports and probably the most modern small stadium in Central Europe after 2 years of construction is now visible from afar in the west of the main town of Pusteria on the edge of the largest school zone in South Tyrol due to its yellow shell. In the new arena with 13.000 square meters of built-in space, it's not just ice hockey that will be played. It also offers space for practicing figure skating, ice skating, curling, curling, para ice hockey, short track and broomball.

Ivo Pezzei played a major role in the realization of the stadium. © kp

The starting signal for the arena was given on November 2, 2011 “It all started 10 years ago at a pizza dinner with my friend Michael Wierer. At the time he was a partner at HC Pustertal and suggested to me that they needed someone who would drive forward the construction of a new stadium. On November 2nd, 2011 we met for a meeting in the VIP room of the Rienz Stadium. In a small group, we wrote down on paper what requirements a new ice rink in my hometown should meet,” remembers the 49-year-old from Bruneck.

That was the starting signal for the new arena, which ultimately cost 24,5 million euros. Pezzei accompanied the project, which was realized by the Bruneck public utility company, for 10 years and during this time, among other things, visited almost 30 stadiums and arenas around the world and took home many impressions and ideas from them. Together with the architectural firm “CeZ” (Calderan and Zanovello) from Bolzano and the municipality of Bruneck, the project developer spent countless hours leading up to the groundbreaking and laying of the foundation stone on September 7, 2019, which marked the official start of construction of the new jewel box. In any case, what came out is impressive.

This is what the arena looks like inside. © kp

I reach the main entrance via a large forecourt, past the second covered ice rink that is open on the sides and the 2 ticket counters. When I enter the futuristic temple, I can't help but be amazed. My eyes light up. A similar thing happened to the last Puster newcomer, Brad Morrison, last Friday. When the Canadian was brought to the Rienzstadion by the ice master after his arrival in Bruneck, he reacted with disappointment: “Oh shit!” When he was accompanied to his new workplace a short time later, he was beaming from ear to ear: “Oh beautiful!”

A few days before the first game there is still construction work here: below, above, outside and inside. And it will stay that way for a while. Over the past few weeks, countless workers have been busy preparing the arena for the home premiere. The impressive video cube hangs 1 meters above the ice that sparkles in the afternoon sun. The boards are up and are currently being covered with the sponsors' lettering.

To the right of the entrance we go past a specialist and fan article shop down the stairs to the ice rink. The majority of the 234 rooms are located in the catacombs. Among other things, the 3 referee cabins with toilet and shower. Right behind it is the entrance to the second ice rink and the spacious ice skate rental. From there you get to the curling hall with 2 lanes, which, like the second ice rink, will be in operation until Christmas. Under the stands are the spacious changing rooms for athletes (2) and trainers (2), as well as the fitness room, which will be ready for occupancy at the beginning of November. At the top are the media and premium areas We go up the stairs and pass the catering area with a bar and a daytime bistro before we reach the 2nd floor. The media area is housed there with 5 boxes for cameramen, commentators, colleagues from the writing guild, assistant directors and player scouts. As well as office space and the premium area. This includes the 250 square meter VIP lounge as well as 6 business boxes reserved for sponsors and partners.

From the very top you have a wonderful view, and one color in particular catches the eye: yellow is the dominant color not only on the outside, but also on the inside. The steel roof structure is yellow, as are all the doors, the tiles in the bathrooms and the furniture in the cabins. It is certainly no coincidence that HC Pustertal's club colors are yellow and black. The color yellow appears bright, cheerful, optimistic, friendly and open. All characteristics that apply to the Puster population. But yellow can also mean envy: When entering the Intercable Arena, the competition will certainly be yellow with envy and sometimes even angry.

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. Klagenfurt	47	183:101	102
2. Fehervar	46	146:126	89
3. Salzburg	46	142:107	87
4. HCB South Tyrol	46	137:125	76
5. Linz	46	146:116	75
6. Villach	46	155:136	74
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This is what it looks like in the new Puster hockey temple: A tour

The entire Pustertal is in ice hockey fever. The first HCP home game in the new stadium is coming up.

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