The Brno hall Rondo is set for extensive reconstruction

Brno - The extensive reconstruction of the multifunctional hall Rondo in Brno will take place over the course of one year. The costs for the reconstruction, excluding the adjacent parking garage, are estimated at nearly 400 million crowns. During the reconstruction, only the hockey players of Kometa will remain in the hall, and the timeline will be designed to maintain the current capacity of 7,200 spectators for all their matches. The completion of the entire project is scheduled for June 2010 due to the Women's Basketball World Championship, which is set to take place at the Rondo hall in September next year.
    "Except for the first team of hockey players Kometa Brno, all other activities and events during the reconstruction will be moved to other sports venues. This mainly concerns young hockey players, who will have to prepare in other halls during the next season," said Brno Mayor Roman Onderka at today's press conference.
    He emphasized that since its opening, the hall has not undergone any reconstruction other than modifications to the cooling system. After the current final of the first hockey league, the last event before the start of construction work will be the Fed Cup match, in which Czech tennis players will face the USA team at the end of April.
    Even after the reconstruction, Rondo will retain its current seating capacity. The original idea to raise the roof structure or deepen the ice surface for structural reasons was abandoned.
    "Such changes could lead to the destruction of the entire hall. Deepening the surface would actually worsen the view for spectators. The stands would have to be reconstructed. In that case, it would be cheaper to build a new hall," noted architect Ivan Ruller, who also designed the original hall in the early 1970s.
    After the reconstruction, the Rondo hall will again be a multifunctional arena that will accommodate not only hockey players but also other sports and cultural events. The modifications will also include the replacement of wooden seats with plastic ones, the construction of a separate entrance for fans of visiting teams, the expansion and improvement of facilities for players, the creation of new VIP areas, space for journalists and commentators, the construction of new accommodation, and the air conditioning of the hall.
    "The city of Brno would need two such halls. The renovation of Rondo is the first step to remedy the situation. The next step will be the construction of a new hall," Onderka added.