Fimpec to lead construction management for the Hippos Center in Jyväskylä

The Hippos Center will be built in phases. Construction will begin in December 2025, and the project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2028. © PES-Arkkitehdit Oy

Construction of the Hippos Center in Jyväskylä is set to begin in December this year. Fimpec will be responsible for construction management using a project management services model for this €210-million development, which enables participation from local companies and contractors.

A major step towards delivering the long-planned Hippos project was taken on Tuesday, 28 October, when the financing and lease agreements were signed. With a total investment exceeding €210 million, the Hippos Center will become the leading hub for sports and wellbeing in the Nordics. The development consists of four main elements: a sports center, an expertise center, an ice sports arena, and a parking facility.

Fimpec joined the project in spring 2023, when Hippos Ky and Fimpec PMO signed the implementation agreement. The project will be delivered using a project management model, with Fimpec overseeing engineering coordination, procurement and site management, including contractor coordination as well as cost and schedule control.

“The project management services model is both cost-efficient and transparent. It also creates strong opportunities for local companies — including smaller operators — to participate. This is enabled by dividing the project into manageable packages and communicating about them early,” says Mikko Turunen, CEO of Fimpec PMO.

Local contractors are encouraged to participate

Following the signing ceremony on 28 October, the Hippos project is moving rapidly into execution. Site fencing and preparations will begin in November. Construction of the Hippos Park parking facility will start in December, while work on the expertise and sports centers will begin in January 2026. Construction of the ice sports center will start after the ice season ends in spring 2026. The entire development is scheduled for completion by summer 2028.

Procurement for the first work packages is already underway. Fimpec will manage procurement and serve as the main point of contact for potential contractors. Matti Alonen, Fimpec’s Construction Manager for the Hippos project, encourages local companies to get involved.

“The project has been divided into sub-projects and smaller procurement packages, giving smaller and local operators excellent opportunities to offer their services — and that is exactly what we hope to see. We encourage local companies to be active, make contact, and submit competitive proposals. For more details, please reach out primarily to our Procurement Manager, Olli-Pekka Salomaa,” Alonen says.

Contractor announcements will follow project progress and be communicated in phases.

A major international-scale development — well suited to Fimpec

The Hippos Center represents a significant undertaking by any measure. The more than €210-million investment is expected to generate around 2,600 person-years of employment, including 1,500 directly on-site. The total area exceeds 100,000 gross square metres. The sports center alone will host training facilities for more than 20 sports and includes an indoor arena with approximately 2,000 spectator seats. The new ice sports center will host over 5,600 spectators for sports events and up to approximately 6,850 for concerts. The parking facility will provide more than 700 spaces, with an additional 250 outdoor spots.

“This ranks among the five to ten largest construction projects in Finland, depending on how it’s measured, and it can rightfully be considered an investment of international scale. It is an excellent fit for Fimpec. We are a Jyväskylä-born company that has grown internationally and successfully delivered large and complex projects in Finland and around the world. Now we have the opportunity to apply our expertise to a truly exciting development in our home city. I hope local companies share our enthusiasm and join us in delivering it,” Turunen concludes.

More about the project
Hippos Center project pages on the City of Jyväskylä website