Page "Holmenkollbakken" Paragraph 12

In 1948, Oslo was awarded to host the 1952 Winter Olympics.

This caused a bonanza of plans, one superseding the other.

Until then, the grandstand on the sides of the hill had been temporary ; prior to the Olympics these were rebuilt as permanent.

A new grandstand was built, a jury tower was constructed, as was facilities for the delegates, the royal family and radio broadcasting.

The in-run was rebuilt ; while it previously had been a mess of open, wooden structures, it was shelled in, painted white and received an elevator.

The hill had to be expanded, and to allow this, the landing slope needed to be lifted by being built as an artificial structure.

Below the lifted part of the hill was built a three-story building, with the ski museum in the lower two floors and a restaurant in the top floor.

The lake was dug deep and made a swimming pool during the summer.

The upgrades cost NOK 1. 5 million, paid for by Oslo Municipality.

These upgrades resulted in an artificial lake being constructed in the off-run, which became a recreational and swimming venue for the city's residents.

The lake was at the time deep and had a typical temperature of.

Oslo had a failed bid for the 1968 Winter Olympics.