Active Vilnius Arena

The Active Vilnius Arena does not sit beside a river or stand out for its age.

Siemens Arena is the name visible on the scoreboard in the photographs. It is not the official sporting name, which changes when sponsors change. The building hosts two different sports, and the change is immediate and total. It is not a football stadium, despite the artificial surface mentioned in the records.

The structure is simple and functional, with rows of blue seats circling the court. The arena was opened in 2005, but the photographs show an interior that has been updated since then. The ceiling is high, with exposed beams and lighting rigs that hang over the playing area. The scoreboard is a large square in the centre, showing the time and score, but also displaying the name of the venue. There are banners hanging from the upper tier, one of which reads "Siemens Arena".

The capacity is small compared to a football stadium, but the proximity of the crowd to the action is significant. The arena has been renamed several times, from Ryto arena to Lietuvos ryto arena , and now to Active Vilnius Arena . The name on the building changes, but the building itself remains. It is a practical place for sport, not a monument.