"It means a lot to us to get another ice surface, so it's obviously really sad that it's been postponed. Now there is a limited number of children who can participate in our association, says Petra Axelsson, vice chairman of Västerviks IK.
The problem is that Västervik municipality has not found anyone who can build the arena.
Difficult to develop girls' hockey
Västerviks IK has developed girls' hockey for the past two years, but they are limited.
"The Swedish Hockey Association promotes that you should have a girls' ice hockey school when you start and are between five and six years old. We do not have the opportunity to do this because there is no ice surface," says Petra Axelsson.
Arena for more than hockey
The new arena will not only become the home arena for Västerviks IK but will also be able to be used for, for example, fairs, conferences and concerts.
" I think Västervik also needs an arena, for other things than ice hockey. Bring here, for example, Melodifestivalen or Gladiatorerna, something that can make the city a winter city as well as a summer city, says Petra Axelsson.
Uncertain when new arena will be ready
From the beginning, the arena was to be completed in the autumn of 2024. The new plan is for construction to be procured in 2023 and completed in 2025.
Now a new procurement is being made in several smaller parts, but it is still unclear if the municipality will find someone who can build the arena within budget.