Hamar Olympic Hall

G j ø v i k O l y m p i c C a v e r n H a l l
The Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall is
situated in downtown Gjøvik 45
kilometres south of Lillehammer
and 120 kilometres north of Oslo.
The hall is placed 120 metres into
the mountain, with 25 to 55 metres
of bedrock above.
The hall is owned by Gjøvik Olympiske Anlegg (Gjøvik
Municipality owns 70% and Lillehammer Utvikling 30%) and
was designed by the architectural firm Moe-Levorsen
Arkitekter MNAL AS.
P l a n n i n g
Norwegian excavation and cavern specialists contributed
significantly during the planning and construction phases.
In December 1989, LOOC prepared a budget for the ice hall,
and in April 1990 the Norwegian parliament issued a
government grant. In October 1990, Gjøvik Municipality and
LOOC agreed to share ownership and operation
responsibility, and in January 1991, Gjøvik executive council
passed a resolution approving the building of the hall in the
mountain.
Construction work started 1 April 1991, and the hall was
completed in April 1993. In eight months, 140 000 m 3 (29 000
truckloads of rock) were excavated and removed from the
hall.
The mass was used to build a new small boat harbour, a
lakeside promenade and a parking terminal.
The total cost was NOK 134.6 million. The government
granted NOK 88.5 million to the project.
During the Games, the hall functioned as an Ice hockey
arena with 5 300 seats.
Post-Olympic use of the hall will vary from sports to cultural
activities. The Ice hockey hall can also be used for football,
handball, basketball, volleyball, tennis and rifling. There is
also an existing swimming pool facility in the cavern.
The hall has excellent acoustics, and is also ideal for
exhibitions, trade fairs, etc.