From Olympic Games to Lillehammer Olympiapark
Lillehammer municipality established Lillehammer Olympic Facility (LOA) in 1989 to fulfill its obligations to finance and build the Olympic venues for the Olympic Games in 1994. Haavind was employed as LOA's first CEO and Gerhard Heiberg was president of the Lillehammer Olympic Organization Committee (LOOC). Their first task was to determine places and budgets against the games in cooperation with local, national and local authorities. At the same time, the after-use committee (LOV) was established after the Olympics to ensure activity in the arenas after the Olympics.
In 1989 there were discussions about the establishment of a second-hand fund estimated by the Remission Committee of 215 Millions. Especially Lillehammer Bob and Akebane would cause extra high operating costs. In 1990 it was estimated that the arenas would go with an annual deficit of approx. 15 million kroner each year. The state initially offered 55 million to the fund, but this was adjusted to 130 million in 1991. The fund would be insufficient, which led to a conflict between the five municipalities. LOV was given responsibility for the operation of venues after the Olympics.
Gjøvik and Hamar chose not to take ownership of LOV, as they did not want a Lillehammer-based company to control the city's capitals.
Haavind was replaced by Bjørn Sund in 1991. At the end of 1991, LOOC wanted a closer collaboration, which resulted in a merger between LOA and Lillehammer '94 which took the latter name. On 1 January 1993, LOV and LOOC had also been merged into a single entity. Planning for after-use and demobilization began in early 1993.
LOOC transferred the ownership of the Olympic venues in Lillehammer to the municipality for 1 million the 7. September 1993. By then, the government had increased the subsidy fund to 200 million. Additional funds for the fund were secured through LOOC's financial buffers that were not used and the proceeds were transferred to the funds. In June 1994, the fund was set to 401,3 million, as a result of the surplus after the games.
The company changed its name 1. January 1999 to Lillehammer Olympiapark AS. In 1999, Lillehammer Olympiapark had an annual turnover of 20 million, of which one third came from the fund. Commercial activities contributed half of the revenues, while the remaining fraction came from sports activities. As a result of the Olympics, 260 were established permanent jobs, and according to a report by Lillehammer University College, these were directly dependent on subsidies from the re-use fund.
The company had a turnover of 2010 million in 56, which is an increase of 10 million from 2009, giving a profit of 2 million. The company is based in Håkons Hall and is wholly owned by Lillehammer Municipality. The company's main revenues come from events and tourists.
In Lysgårdsbakken, Lillehammer Olympiapark runs two ski slopes for sporting activities, while tourists can take advantage of a chairlift and the beautiful view from the jump tower. Event is also organized in the facility, with activities and reconstruction of the opening ceremony. The Kanthaugen used for freestyle, bullet driving and skateboard under OL '94, has been converted to a toboggan run with a lift. The bob and alleyway is the facility with the most activity today, which has a long training season for athletes, but also offers many tourist activities. Birkebeineren skistadion produces snow and miles of cross-country trails, the arena also has its own roller skating and shooting range. Håkons Hall is Norway's largest multi-purpose halls with more tenants and a dedicated sports center, widely used by both local and international athletes.
