our story

The mid-1990s

But let’s rewind quite a long way.

Following the successful Jaro years in the early 1990s, discussions took place at board level regarding a football stadium at Västra plan.

Stig Nickull was the one who, in the mid-1990s, specifically looked into the possibility of building a stadium. Through an architect from Jyväskylä, he obtained a stadium design capable of accommodating just over 5,000 people.

The plans were subsequently shelved. Possibly due to the limited space, which also proved to be a problem later on.

2009

Kepok was a company that worked primarily with Västra Plan. The company had been formed by the football district but was taken over by eight clubs in 2009.

Kepok worked to install artificial turf at Västra Plan. It had received support from both the County Administrative Board and UEFA.

The town of Jakobstad acted as guarantor for a loan taken out by Kepok. However, an appeal against that decision was lodged.

The appeal was subsequently rejected and Västra Plan received its artificial turf and, later, stands and floodlights as well.

2015

The need for a new football stadium had been discussed on and off in various contexts since at least the 2010s.

A serious expression of interest came in 2015 when the town of Jakobstad launched an architectural competition for Sikören, where the site was also intended to accommodate a football stadium.

The winning entry was designed by Uki Arkkitehdit in Oulu and was called Rubikon.

The plans were never realised. Among other things, it was felt at the time that it would be far too expensive and labour-intensive to redevelop the old industrial site.

2019

Plans for a new football stadium nevertheless lived on. Among other things, it was one of five points in Jaro’s new strategy for 2025.

Kepok was also considering a stadium. Kepok was the club-owned company that ran the football pitch (with stands and floodlights) at Västra Plan. Kepok later changed its name to Oy Jeppis Stadion Ab in 2021.

On 18 June 2019, the first meeting was held regarding Jeppis Arena, which was the initial working title. Those attending included Fredrik Haga, Mikael Eklund, Pontus Häggblom, Kenneth Mörk and Thomas Käldström. 

At this meeting, Thomas Käldström presented several points that would subsequently be realised once the stadium was completed in 2025.

Kenneth Mörk and Thomas Käldström are tasked with continuing work on the stadium project, focusing on finance and marketing.

2020

In 2020, work was underway on several fronts to bring the stadium project to fruition.

Börje Eriksson was the project manager and Pontus Häggblom the lead planner. The talk now was of an arena that would seat around 3,000 spectators – instead of the 5,000 previously discussed when planning for Sikören.

This is where the plans began to take shape. Much of the planning that became reality in the summer of 2025 was developed during this period.

The guiding principle throughout was to build cost-effectively without compromising on quality.

Eriksson and Häggblom brought city officials, namely city planning architect Sören Öhberg and senior building inspector Micael Nylund, into the planning process. The Finnish Football Association was contacted, and Tero Auvinen paid a visit in March 2020, providing important information regarding UEFA regulations for the planning and construction of a stadium for classification in levels 1–4. The starting point was the pitch dimensions of 105 x 68 m, which apply to international matches.

In May 2020, the tasks within Jeppis Stadion were divided into three different areas of responsibility: technical, finance, and information and support.

The technical group consists of Eriksson, Häggblom and Käldström, tasked with producing the main drawings, a timetable and a preliminary budget by the beginning of June 2020.

In mid-June 2020, the stadium plans were presented to the immediate neighbours, and at the end of June, the letter of intent was signed with the city.

A number of neighbours attended and were shown the plans.

A couple of points were raised, which were also taken into account in the final planning.

A lot is happening in 2020:

• The letter of intent with the city is signed.
• An action plan covering technology, finance, support and grants was launched in July 2020.
• The project is presented to the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) and the Finnish Football Association on 12 August 2020.
• A renewed lease agreement for the area at Västra plan, extending until 2045, is signed and  approved by the City Council on 28 September 2020.
• A decision on a share issue to raise capital is taken by Jeppis Stadion Ab at the end of November 2020.
• Applications for grants to both the Regional State Administrative Agency and the Finnish Football Association are submitted on time by the end of December 2020.
• It proves challenging to find an architectural firm that shares the board’s vision. Eventually, the right firm is found in Jorma Paloranta Architects, who are commissioned to design the stadium.

2021

The ball was now rolling. Even more is happening this year regarding the project.

One of the biggest developments is that the stadium is named after the charity project Project Liv. The new stadium will be called Project Liv Arena.

At the same time, discussions are initiated with local companies interested in becoming ‘Cool to Care’ partners and contributing to the project.

2021

At its meeting on 1 February 2021, the Board of the Finnish Football Association decided to apply for €400,000 in investment funding from UEFA for the stadium project in Jakobstad.

The new website and associated social media channels were launched in February 2021.

Kepok changed its name to Oy Jeppis Stadion Ab on 12 April 2021.

On 15 April 2021, the National Sports Council approved the €750,000 in state funding that had been applied for to build Jeppis Stadion.

On 18 June 2021, the name of the new stadium was announced; it will be called Project Liv Arena, after the charity of the same name.

The local food group Snellman becomes the first ‘Cool to Care’ partner.

Planning permission was granted on 14 October 2021 by the Environment and Building Committee.

The Jakobstad Region Merchants’ Association is purchasing shares worth €50,000 in Project Liv Arena.

Oy Jeppis Stadion Ab was granted a guarantee of €4.9 million on 15 November 2021.

2021-2022

Whilst the stadium project had been riding high in previous years, setbacks were now coming thick and fast.

At the end of November 2021, three separate appeals were lodged against the planning permission for Jeppis Stadium.

At that time, it was estimated that the processing time at the Vaasa Administrative Court would take 15–24 months.

On 24 February 2022, dark clouds gather on the horizon. Russia launches its war of aggression against Ukraine. The war becomes a human catastrophe for those affected.

But the consequences are also felt at a local level. Construction costs rise sharply.

In April 2022, the house manufacturer Heikius Hus in Vörå estimates that material costs for buildings have risen by over 30 per cent in a year.

2023

After the project had been on hold for 17 months, a long-awaited decision finally arrived on 30 May 2023: The Vaasa Administrative Court dismissed the appeals against the building permit.

But just under a month later, the following setback occurred. Two applications for leave to appeal were submitted to the Supreme Administrative Court.

The project has ground to a halt once again.

2024

Things are looking up again. On 7 February, the planning permission was secured. The Supreme Administrative Court denied the right to appeal the decision from Vaasa Administrative Court.

This means that the way is now clear to build the stadium.

At the end of May, Byggnads Ab Nynäs Rakennus Oy from Jakobstad was selected as the construction contractor.

In June, things are back on track:

06.06.2024 Ålandsbanken becomes the main financier.
11.06.2024 The City Council approves the lease agreement with Jeppis Stadion.
24.06.2024 The rubber granules are removed from the 14-year-old surface. The artificial turf is rolled up and construction begins.
23.07.2024 Leif Käldman demonstrates his strong commitment to the community by investing 50,000 euros in the company’s share capital.

2024

2024 is the year the project gained momentum once again.

07.07.2024 Mirka becomes a Cool to Care partner.
17.07.2024 Pedersörenejdens Andelsbank becomes a Cool to Care partner.
04.10.2024 The foundation stone was laid for Project Liv Arena.
06.11.2024 A camera was installed on the website so the public could follow the construction.
13.12.2024 Herrfors became a Cool to Care partner.
20.12.2024 JNT became a Cool to Care partner.

2025

Construction is progressing on schedule. A mild winter is helping to ensure that delays are avoided.

An agreement regarding the restaurant operations at PLA was signed in the spring with Ab PLA Restaurants & Events Oy.

The topping-out ceremony will be held on 25 April 2025. At the same time, a public share issue is underway.

Hilltip joins as a Cool to Care partner in early May 2025. The local company is a leading player in road maintenance machinery and equipment, primarily for snow and ice control, and becomes the latest addition to the Cool to Care family.

Construction is progressing on schedule and speculation is rife as to when the first match will be played. Will it be Jaro v Ilves on 20 July or Jaro v VPS on 25 July?

Work on laying the artificial turf begins on 24 June.

2025

FC United will have the honour of playing the first match at Project Liv Arena on 24 July 2025.

Jenny Le-Östman makes history as the first goalscorer when United thrash GBK 9–0. At the same time, history is also being made at a national level. A new attendance record is set for a women’s football match at Division 1 level or below.

A total of 1,028 spectators were in attendance.

2025

And the following day (25 July 2025), Project Liv Arena is packed to the rafters as 3,616 spectators have turned up to watch the derby between Jaro and VPS. Tickets for the match had sold out in three hours!

Adam Vidjeskog becomes Jaro’s first goalscorer at the new stadium when he equalises to make it 1–1 in the second half.

2025

From the outset, it has always been said that Project Liv Arena is to be the city’s new living room for all sorts of activities.

In addition to elite football, matches have been played at various levels, including women’s, men’s, girls’ and boys’ teams.

But other activities have also been organised, such as a family day on 24 August, when children and young people had the chance to try out different sports.

And the big concert on 15 August featuring KAJ, Dingo, Daniel Adams Ray and Jeppis Allstars.

An international match for U16 boys will be played between Finland and Sweden on 21 August in front of 1,250 spectators.