Mongolia’s first ever winter sports palace opens www.montsame.mn
On September 29, the opening ceremony for the 'Ice Palace' took place in the capital city’s Khan-Uul district.
Unique for being Mongolia’s first-ever indoor ice arena that complies with the standards of the International Olympic Committee, the architectural design and blueprints for the sports palace was done by a team of young Mongolian architects at Anagram LLC, with the advice and consultancy of professional institutions and architects specialized in sports facilities such as the Canadian architecture firm HDR and VDA Architecture Ltd.
With the ‘Ice Palace’ put into operation, it becomes possible for those interested in winter sports as well as many generations of ice skaters and hockey players to hone their skills no matter the season. Alongside competitions for certain winter sports such as hockey and figure skating, various other sports events such as basketball, handball, and boxing as well as concerts and performances, and conferences are able to be organized in the arena. The venue has a capacity of seating 2,600-3,600 people.
The opening ceremony of the Winter Sports Palace was attended by President of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh, who gave remarks congratulating the project implementing body.
He said in his remarks, “During my time as the Deputy Prime Minister four years ago, I became acquainted with the construction project for the winter sports palace and held discussions with the corresponding organizations about its construction alongside former President Kh.Battulga. The “ice” palace has been constructed through the partnership between domestic companies. I express my sincere gratitude to you all for completing this large-scale project by introducing new engineering technologies and overcoming the challenging obstacles and circumstance.”
Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar city D.Sumiyabazar, Chief of the Physical Culture and Sports Authority Ts.Sharavjamts, and representatives of foreign countries’ embassies in Mongolia attended the ceremony.
The opening ceremony was also attended by executives of the companies in charge of the project’s construction and financing, including ‘Ice Palace’ project initiator and lead, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Steppe Arena LLC P.Tsagaan, CEO of Anagram LLC B.Zolboo, CEO of Achit Ikht LLC D.Erdenetsetseg, CEO of Steppe Arena LLC N.Batmunkh, CEO of Steppelink Holding LLC Ts.Munkhtuvshin, Head of the Policy Committee at Mongolyn Alt (MAK) LLC B.Nyamtaishir, and CEO of United Projects Corporation LLC Ts.Uuganbayar.
As Mongolia has no prior experience in constructing indoor venues for organizing winter sports competitions and events, an invitation for bid was issued for companies in the regions of North America and Europe for the supply of products, its installation, and appropriate corresponding training. AST Eis- und Solartechnik GmbH, an Austrian company specialized in constructing professional ice rinks, was selected for constructing the Olympic-size ice rink at the venue.
A total of 95 Mongolian companies and six foreign companies, 1,600 construction workers and engineers were involved in the construction of the ‘Ice Palace’.
On the occasion of the event, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach has also sent greetings to Acting President of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee Ch.Naranbaatar. In the letter, he congratulated the committee on the establishment of the venue that will allow international sports events to be organized, and wished success for the preparation of athletes for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Published Date:2021-09-30