Duna Arena is the largest indoor water complex in the Hungarian capital, and it was significantly developed after last year’s FINA World Championship. Now its capability to host worldwide water sports events is even better. Visitors may also use the services of the most modern swimming complex soon.
Due to the decision of FINA, Budapest has been the venue of the association’s world championship in 2017. However, the Hungarian capital did not have the appropriate complex to host such an event, so the government decided to construct a scalable arena for the championship and other upcoming water sports events. The process was finished in an incredibly short time by 2017.
The new building was named Duna Arena, and it was the venue of FINA World Championship and FINA Masters World Championship. There has been full house throughout the entire event, so more than 10,000 people could cheer for their favourite contenders at the same time.
The transformation process began right after the end of the world championship because the building’s capacity extended with the scaffolding will be “only” 6,000 people at the end. The remodelling has begun in September 2017, and its reopening is scheduled between 18 and 20 May, at the time of the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series. A month later, Duna Arena will be the venue of the Artistic Swimming Junior World Championship.
The complex was designed to serve sportsmen (swimmers, water polo players, synchronised swimmers, artistic divers) not only during the competitions but also provide an opportunity for training. According to the announcements, hobbyist swimmers and athletes will also be allowed to visit the arena every day, all day long. The building will include shops, changing rooms, training rooms, buffets; moreover, the original plans also involves a restaurant and an event hall, not to mention the VIP auditorium, the offices and conference rooms.
Dagály Bath will also be renewed, though the company operating the building did not determine the exact schedule yet. Still, as it can be seen on these photos, the pools are already completed, so only minor works are left. Let us hope that swimmers may enjoy its services as soon as possible.
Photos: Daily News Hungary