Jihlava is preparing an architectural competition for a new ice rink

Jihlava - Jihlava is preparing an architectural competition for the design of a new multifunctional sports hall, which could be announced within a month. The hall is intended to replace the Horácký Ice Stadium, which is reaching the end of its roofing lifespan. The city has directly approached three participants for the competition, and will select another three from those who express interest in the project. The results of the competition are expected by the end of summer, said architect and city councilor David Beke (ODS), who is in charge of the project.

"It will be a narrower architectural competition for a design," Beke stated. The jury will also include a representative from the region. The city hall wants to build the hall at the site of the old stadium, where it will be possible to conduct not only ice sports but also other sports, such as volleyball or tennis, as well as cultural events. There should also be space for shops, a café, and services. Construction of the new hall could start in 2021 if everything goes well, Beke indicated.

The stadium, which was built in 1956, is home to the Dukla hockey club. The sports facility and the club belong to the city. The construction of the multifunctional hall at the site of the old stadium was approved by the councilors in December. They changed the approach set by the local government in the previous electoral period, which focused on gradual repairs of the old stadium and the construction of a new hall on the outskirts of the city. The newly elected option is expected to have costs of up to 750 million crowns, according to the leadership.

A working group has been meeting for several months regarding this plan. Discussions have already addressed securing an ice surface for Dukla during the stadium reconstruction. The city is also considering the option of temporarily installing a mobile hall. The ground underneath the old stadium has been checked to a depth of 13 meters with two hydrogeological drillings. "This survey turned out positively. If we decide to dig, we are not limited by any increased costs," Beke stated. Among the contemplated plans is also a public collection for the new hall.