The dreams of Kymi Ring’s large profits and tourist flows were shattered due to the company’s bankruptcy. The decision-makers from Lahti explained why Lahti joined the risky project.
The Kymi Ring motor sports center built in Iitti was expected to bring vitality and business to Lahti. In May 2019, Lahti decided to join the neighboring municipality’s major project. When the railway company ran into difficulties and eventually bankruptcy, Lahti Events, a subsidiary of the city of Lahti, lost more than four and a half million euros of taxpayers’ money.
Jorma Ratia, known as a prominent Kymi Ring critic, said that he was in favor of going along.
– I voted for Kymi Ringi. It’s stupid to start explaining now, but the situation was such that I am a devout fan of motor sports and I wanted the international races to come here, said Ratia.
Juha Rostedt reminded that the project had already been carried forward for several years before Lahti decided to join. Rostedt was chairman of the vitality and employment division at the time of decision-making.
– I think it was essential that there were large shareholders and reliable parties such as Ahlström oy, the municipality of Iiti and the national central organization of motor sports as well as the motor association.
Pekka Komu was the chairman of the city council at that time.
– We wanted jobs, vitality and jobs in the service sectors. If you don’t try, you will never win, said Komu.
Aleksi Mäntylä was the only one who participated in the discussion and voted against Kymi Ringi with the other greens.
– In our opinion, combining the image of the environmental capital and motor sports would have been challenging. It was also not a core activity of the city. We also saw clear risks, said Mäntylä.
– I myself had a very conflicted feeling. We all knew that it was risky money to put 2.8 million euros. I guess I would still say that yes, this mess will go away, but I support this anyway, said Ratia.
Who is responsible?
Many residents of Lahti have demanded that the decision-makers take responsibility for the waste of taxpayers’ money. It is difficult to find an individual bearer of responsibility.
– If the owner has given a release from liability, I consider retroactive liability for damage almost impossible. Political responsibility is a different matter, said Ratia.
Juha Rostedt reminded that there will be both losses and profits in the city’s operations.
– We have Lahti Energia’s investments 10–20 million euros long per power plant. The city hospital received 5–7 million euros more just because the mayor held one additional negotiation.
Pekka Komu understands the irritation of Lahti taxpayers.
– You have to be very careful when using public funds. However, no politician can confidently say that everything always works out perfectly. The responsibility is borne in the elections.
– The same people can succeed or fail, says Aleksi Mäntylä.