Rokycany will announce a competition for the reconstruction of the Sokolovna only for 360 million.

Rokycany – The Rokycany council today approved the conditions for a public architectural competition for the repair of the over 100-year-old Sokol Hall, which has been closed for almost four years due to wood rot affecting the ceiling and rafters. The repair of the current structure or the construction of a new facility is to cost a maximum of 360 million crowns. The conditions will now be approved by the Czech Chamber of Architects, and in November or December, the city will announce the competition after it is re-approved by the councilors. This was stated by Mayor Václav Kočí (For Our Rokycany).

"All options are still on the table, from minimal reconstruction to the complete construction of a new Sokol Hall," he said. The jury for preparing the competition and for evaluating it includes three architects from the chamber and three representatives of the city – the mayor and the deputy mayors.

"The requirements for the so-called New Center for Culture include a large hall with a capacity of at least 400 seats that cannot be divided, and a small one with a capacity of 100 seats, which will provide a cinema function," said city hall spokesperson Tereza Maixnerová. Additionally, there will be space for a smaller restaurant and offices. According to the original plan, proposals should be submitted by March 15, 2021. The construction, which the city is primarily financing from its own sources, is expected to start no sooner than 2022. It will include a significant expansion of the parking lot. According to today's decision by the councilors, the project for the building permit has a maximum price limit of 11.5 million crowns.

The Sokol Hall could accommodate up to 600 people. The fourteen-thousand-strong Rokycany currently lacks a hall for organizing cultural and social events. According to Deputy Mayor Jan Šašek (ODS), the only available hall is at the Střelnice restaurant, where larger events cannot be held. Balls and dances take place in Žebrák and Plzeň.

The Sokol Hall, whose cornerstone was laid in 1902, was taken over by the city hall three years ago from TJ Sokol, which did not have money for repairs and failed to repay a loan from the city. In October 2016, the historical part of the building—the main hall and lounges—was closed. Only the approximately 30-year-old annex, which mainly houses offices, is still in operation. The property on the main road from Plzeň to Prague is not protected as a historical monument.