Site Suitability Analysis for a 400m Indoor Speed Skating Rink in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea: Geographic Information System-Based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making

The Korea National Training Center International Rink (Taereung International Skating Rink), the only 400m (full-length) track speed skating rink in South Korea, is under threat by demolition. In response, this study explores optimal locations for constructing a new 400m track speed skating rink using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS). The AHP analysis identified accessibility, particularly proximity to subway stations and arterial roads, as the most critical factors in site selection. Using the weights derived from the AHP, site suitability analysis pinpointed optimal locations within the Seoul Metropolitan Area, particularly in parts of Incheon and Gyeonggi Province bordering Seoul. This study is significant as it establishes a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making framework for selecting suitable sites for a 400m track speed skating rink and demonstrates its practical application. The findings underscore the importance of accessibility in site selection and offer a practical tool for planning future sports facilities.