Set in the heart of Ljubljana, the Ilirija SportCity Centre is a striking new hub for both elite and grass roots sporting endeavors. Designed by Lorenz Ateliers and commissioned by the City of Ljubljana, the centre combines modern architecture with deep historical roots.
The original Stanko Bloudek building has been carefully restored to serve as a welcoming entrance of the new venue, featuring a café, meeting rooms and a museum celebrating Slovenian sporting heritage. At the heart of the complex is a state-of-the-art aquatic facility, built with Myrtha technology. The aquatic area features a 25-metre training pool and a 50-metre Olympic swimming pool equipped with a movable bulkhead and Myrtha Track Start blocks.
Thanks to Myrtha’s advanced stainless steel system, the pools are designed to meet the highest standards for both training and international competition, delivering precision, durability, and environmental efficiency to a fan-friendly setting which includes 1,500 seats.
The centre is housed beneath a distinctively curved suspended roof and serves a variety of users, including local sports clubs, Slovenian national teams, schools, and university programmes. It is also made available for recreational use to the general public. SportCity is now recognised as a National Olympic Centre by the Slovenian Olympic Committee.
Type
City
Technology
Surface
52x25m (Olympic pool)
25x20m (Training pool)
Depth
2,2m (Olympic pool)
2-2,7m (Training pool)
Location
Beyond aquatics, the venue includes four indoor sports halls, wellness facilities, and outdoor courts, making Ilirija a versatile and inclusive space for sport in all its forms.
One of the most forward-thinking aspects of SportCity Ilirija is its strong focus on sustainability. The building incorporates 4,000 square metres of photovoltaic panels on its roof, enabling it to function as one of Europe’s first zero-energy sports buildings. This commitment to green energy and reduced carbon emissions sets a benchmark not only for Slovenia but for sports infrastructure across the continent.
Myrtha Pools contributes to this priority through its innovative construction method, which produces significantly lower CO₂ emissions than traditional concrete pools. This aligns perfectly with the environmental values that shaped every element of SportCity Ilirija.
SportCity Ilirija is more than a swimming centre: it’s a new civic landmark. The architectural concept, known as the “Ilirija Joint”, creates a fluid link between the urban centre and Tivoli Park via a covered public square. This space fosters meetings, events and everyday interactions, making the venue not only a sports complex but also a place of community and cultural connection.
Myrtha Pools is proud to support this ambitious project, contributing to a facility that will inspire future generations of athletes and enhance Ljubljana’s position as a pre-eminent city of sport.
