Raiffeisen Arena
{{Short description|Ice hockey arena in Porrentruy, Switzerland}}
{{For|the football stadium in Linz, Austria|Raiffeisen Arena (Linz)}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Raiffeisen Arena
| nickname =
| image = File:Neue Arena Ajoie.jpg
| caption =
| fullname =
| address = Route de Courgenay 21 CH-2900
| location = Porrentruy, Switzerland
| coordinates = {{coord|47|25|N|07|05|E|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground =
| built =
| opened = 1973
| renovated = 2020
| expanded = 2020
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner =
| operator =
| surface =
| construction_cost =
| cost = CHF 27.8 million (renovation)
| architect = Dolci Architectes
Stähelin Partner
| structural engineer =
| services engineer =
| general_contractor=
| project_manager =
| main_contractors =
| former names = Patinoire de Porrentruy (1973–2020)
| tenants = HC Ajoie (NL) (1973–present)
| seating_capacity = 5,178
}}
The Raiffeisen Arena is an ice hockey arena in Porrentruy, Switzerland. The arena serves as the home for HC Ajoie of the National League (NL).
History
File:Voyeboeuf Aussenansicht.jpg Raiffeisen Arena was formerly known as Patinoire de Porrentruy and has been the home arena for HC Ajoie since 1973. In 2018, the Porrentruy District voted yes on the renovation and expansion of the arena.{{cite web|url=https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/der-leuchtturm-trotzt-der-krise-672535755755 |title=Der Leuchtturm trotzt der Krise |newspaper=Berner Zeitung |first=Peter |last=Birrer |date=November 24, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2022 |language=German}} Ground breaking for the arena renovations began in July 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.timbatec.com/en/aktuelles/meldungen/2019-07-08_Grundsteinlegung-Pruntrut.php |title=Laying of the foundation stone for the ice rink in Pruntrut |website=timbatec.com |date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=December 29, 2022}} The arena began to be erected in November 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.timbatec.com/en/aktuelles/meldungen/2541945709-Aufrichtung-Pruntrutt.php |title=Ice rink in Pruntrut - The wooden structure is erected |website=timbatec.com |date=December 12, 2019 |access-date=December 29, 2022}} The wood for the arena was largely sourced from the surrounding communities. 2,000 cubic meter of softwood and 1,000 cubic meter of hardwood were used. The expansion began in May 2020, when the existing ice rink was renovated to meet modern standards.{{cite web|url=https://www.timbatec.com/en/aktuelles/meldungen/2019-03-12_Eishalle-Pruntrut.php |title=Wood from the Jura forest for the new ice rink in Pruntrut |website=timbatec.com |date=December 3, 2019 |access-date=December 29, 2022}}
The new 4,650-seat arena is also used by the curling club, figure skaters and the general public for ice skating.{{cite web|url=https://www.timbatec.com/en/aktuelles/meldungen/6226775750-Eisstadion-HC-Ajoie.php |title=Sensational - HC Ajoie is cup winner and is looking forward to a new stadium made of wood |website=timbatec.com |date=March 2, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2022}} A second ice rink was also built with National Hockey League (NHL) dimensions. HC Ajoie played away games to begin the season, until the new arena was completed.{{cite web|url=https://www.timbatec.com/en/aktuelles/meldungen/6559089945-Saisonstart-HC-Ajoie.php |title=Start of the season for HC Ajoie |website=timbatec.com |date=October 10, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2022}} The first game at Raiffeisen Arena was played on November 24, 2020, in front of a crowd of 4,761 people.
In December 2022 it was announced Raiffeisen Arena would serve as a second venue for the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championships.{{cite web|url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2023/wm18/news/41089/host_switzerland_opens_vs_finland |title=Host Switzerland opens vs. Finland |website=IIHF.com |publisher=IIHF |first=Martin |last=Merk |date=15 December 2022 |access-date=29 December 2022}}