GGN 2.0 IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE COMPETITION IN HEJDEBY IN 2024.

THE ORGANIZER OF THE GOTLAND GRAND NATIONAL, NORDIC SPORT & EVENT, RECEIVED NOTIFICATION TODAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, AT 2:00 P.M., FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD THAT THE GGN HAS A SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

Nordic Sport & Event is expected to be informed today at a meeting with the Gotland County Administrative Board—after seven months of work—that the organizer needs to continue its efforts regarding environmental and nature-related issues in order to host GGN 2.0 in Hejdeby on Gotland.

DECISION ON SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT (BMP)

The County Administrative Board has now determined that the Gotland Grand National will have a significant environmental impact if it is held in Hejdeby. Moving forward, the organizer will continue its work to assess how the race will affect the area in the short and long term. The next step will be a scoping consultation.

Consultations regarding the scope of the project shall be held with the County Administrative Board, the regulatory authority, and individuals who are likely to be particularly affected. Consultations regarding the scope of the project shall also be held with other government agencies, the municipalities, and the general public who are likely to be affected by the project.

NORDIC SPORT & EVENT IS LOOKING AHEAD, AND GGN 2.0 HAS GREAT POTENTIAL IN HEJDEBY!

The reason GGN must change its competition venue is that the Gotland Defense Forces informed the organizer, Nordic Sport & Event, on August 28, 2023, that GGN can no longer be held at the Tofta firing range after 40 consecutive years.

“This doesn’t come as a complete surprise to our organization. That’s precisely why, as a preventive measure, we’ve already invested time and resources in the voluntary investigations that have been conducted in the area. This means we’ve now gained a lot of time for our ongoing work,” says Conny Bohlin, CEO of Nordic Sport & Event.

– We have now made significant progress in our efforts to secure GGN 2.0 for Hejdeby, which means we will continue to invest our time and money in the additional work the County Administrative Board wants us to complete based on today’s meeting.

“We expect to invest an additional 1–1.5 million in the track, arena, and other facilities, in addition to the approximately 5 million GGN spent each year on building infrastructure in the area. The studies have cost around 200,000 SEK so far, excluding VAT, and now we’ll have to allocate additional funds before the major work can begin,” Conny Bohlin adds.

MEASURES ALREADY TAKEN IN THE WORK ON GGN 2.0 IN HEJDEBY.

· Professor and environmental expert Nils Ryrholm was brought on board early on to assist us in our work.

· The consulting firm SWECO was hired to survey the area and design a course based on the area’s known environmental and natural values.

· SWECO has also taken soil and ground samples as a precautionary measure in areas where there may be contaminated soil. (Awaiting results)

· An archaeologist from the Gotland Museum has surveyed archaeological sites in the area and stated that there is no better place than Hejdeby to hold the GGN.

· 20 landowners in the area have already agreed to the GGN.

· Other property owners near the arena itself have approved the GGN in the area and have also agreed to relocate their horses during the two days of competition.

· We have received approval from the County Administrative Board to close County Road 147 (Slitevägen) for two days.

“GGN means so much to so many people, and we’re doing everything we can to keep the event on Gotland. We will take our responsibility seriously when it comes to environmental and nature issues, since GGN will continue to be held on the island for many years to come; that’s why we understand that these additions are necessary,” concludes Conny Bohlin.

THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD FOLLOWING A DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

Section 10 of the Environmental Assessment Regulation describes what must be taken into account when assessing whether an activity or measure will have a significant environmental impact. According to Section 6, Chapter 3, Section 3, a government agency or municipality that prepares or amends a plan or program required by law or other statutory provision must conduct a strategic environmental assessment if the implementation of the plan, program, or amendment is likely to result in a significant environmental impact.

For further information and questions, please contact: (MEETING on Friday, March 22, at 2:00 p.m. WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD)
Conny Bohlin
CEO, Nordic Sport & Event
0708 – 249494

FACTS ABOUT THE GOTLAND GRAND NATIONEL
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Over 3,400 from 15 countries
GUEST NIGHTS: 28 ,000
REVENUE FOR THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY: 100 ,000,000 SEK/year.
FUNDING FOR CLUB ACTIVITIES: 800 ,000 SEK/year
SVT SPORT VIEWERS: 800 ,000 (over 5 hours of live broadcasts)