H. Králové does not count on an architectural competition for its own stadium

Hradec Králové - Today, the city councilors of Hradec Králové approved the termination of contracts with ECE Projektmanagement regarding the joint project for the construction of a shopping center and a football stadium in Malšovice. The councilors also decided that the city would build the football arena at the site of the stadium known as Pod lízátky itself. They approved the announcement of a competition for the acquisition of project documentation for zoning permits, building permits, and for the competition for construction companies.
    The termination of contracts with ECE was a condition for the city to take the construction of the stadium fully under its control. ECE withdrew from the multi-billion project after five years of preparation in December 2013. Subsequent attempts to take over the project by other investors also ended in failure. As compensation for the expenses already incurred, the city will receive 5.4 million crowns from ECE.
    The costs of constructing the stadium are estimated at approximately 400 million crowns. If everything goes smoothly, matches could be held at the new stadium in 2018. The stadium will host FC Hradec Králové, which is currently fighting to avoid relegation in the first league.
    Opposition councilor Martin Hanousek (Green Party) criticized the decision to announce the tender for the project documentation. He wanted the city to hold an architectural competition for the construction of the stadium. This was rejected by the overwhelming majority of councilors, including those from opposition ranks, citing that the city needs the stadium as quickly as possible and at the lowest cost. "Other sports facilities in Hradec were built without an architectural competition and are very successful," said the proponent of the proposal, Deputy Mayor Jindřich Vedlich (TOP 09).
    The creators of the documentation for the stadium should start from the feasibility study of the new stadium, which was prepared by architect Tomáš Vymetálek. His study accounts for a capacity of 10,000 spectators and retains the lighting fixtures in the shape of four lollipops from the current stadium, which will otherwise be demolished.
    The city anticipates that the construction of the stadium will proceed in phases. During the entire renovation of the stadium, league matches should be played there. In the so-called zero phase, the eastern stand will first be modified to meet the requirements of the Football Association of the Czech Republic. Later, during the construction of the new main western stand, the builders will demolish the eastern stand and build a new one.
    The main burden of financing the stadium will fall on the city. Initially, the city was supposed to mainly finance the stadium through the sale of land for the shopping center to ECE for 259 million crowns. ECE also committed to provide the football club with 176 million crowns over ten years and will pay about 115 million for infrastructure, transport connections, and the demolition of the old stadium.