The recent storm Elena has wreaked havoc on the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) in Athens, Greece, leading to significant flooding and damages. Heavy rains lashed the stadium, causing leaks from the roof and rendering it unfit for use during the scheduled Olympiacos game against Lavrio on December 29, 2023.
The deluge has resulted not only in the postponement of the match but has also inflicted substantial economic damage on the Olympiacos basketball team. Reports indicate serious impairments to the wooden floor, also known as the parquet, the Cube (the team’s training space), and gymnasium equipment, all of which are costly investments made by Olympiacos over the years.
The president of SEF, Christina Tsiligkiri, offered insights on the severity of the situation during her interview with ERA SPOR, detailing how the stadium has suffered from insufficient maintenance for the past 15 years. "It is a situation we know very well from the first day we came to SEF. We have made many efforts on the roof. There are two points where there is a problem: the roof and the terrace where the public enters," she stated, drawing attention to the longstanding issues confronting the facility.
The flooding was so extensive, she noted, it led to water accumulation on the roof, which would likely continue to leak for at least two more days. "The roof will continue to leak for the next two days, because it is curved on top, it has collected water. That's very honest of me to say," Tsiligkiri remarked, emphasizing the dire condition of the infrastructure.
SEF workers have been working around the clock to mitigate the damage, with Tsiligkiri providing updates on their efforts. "From the morning, SEF workers have gone down. We are making all efforts to protect the floor," she said. Protection measures have been implemented, albeit temporary, as they grapple with removing collected water and securing the area from additional damage.
The financial repercussions for Olympiacos could be immense, as maintaining competitive operations is heavily reliant on their home venue's condition. Tsiligkiri acknowledged this reality, stating the need for thorough waterproofing of the stadium, which was neglected for many years. "It is clear we need to proceed with the waterproofing," she stated, raising concerns about the impact of weather-related events on such aging structures.
She also mentioned previous drainage efforts and how they have proven insufficient against the current deluge. "We have made many attempts on the roof. Many efforts have been exerted, but the problem remains unsolved," she asserted, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive renovations.
The surrounding discourse poses questions on the adequacy of resources allocated for maintenance and whether they align with the modernization necessary to handle climate change effects like those seen with storm Elena. The stadium, originally constructed years ago, was not equipped to manage extreme weather, leaving it vulnerable today.
Tsiligkiri pointed out the necessity for governmental funding, citing prior discussions on budget increases for the stadium's upgrades and renovations. "The funds we received from the increase of the regular allocation were for the climate unit," she explained, stressing the importance of transparency concerning how such resources are utilized.
The gathering storm clouds over SEF present not just immediate challenges but also obstacles for long-term structural integrity and future endeavors of the Olympiacos team. "We have to begin with the waterproofing immediately," Tsiligkiri urged again, reiterative of the proactive measures needed to prevent such problems from worsening.
Looking forward, Tsiligkiri noted the conversation of transferring the stadium under Olympiacos' management could pave the way for needed improvements. "I don't know when the discussions will reach their conclusion, but positive talks are underway for 2025, which we believe could bring beneficial developments for our team," she stated optimistically.
With weather patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable, the rains from storm Elena are not only reshaping the physical state of the stadium but also highlighting the need for strategic renovation. This calamity uncovers the vulnerabilities of infrastructure built decades ago, prompting collective urgency for sustainable practices moving forward.
