Brno has signed a contract for the construction of a multifunctional hall at the exhibition grounds for 4.4 billion.

Brno - Representatives of the city of Brno signed a contract today with representatives of the company Hochtief CZ for the construction of a multipurpose hall at the exhibition grounds for 4.4 billion crowns. Construction will only begin if the European Commission approves the possibility of financial support for the construction from public sources. The city expects a decision in the first half of this year. In the event of disapproval, the city can withdraw from the contract without penalty. The state, the region, and the city will contribute to the construction of the hall, which has a capacity of more than 13,000 spectators, with the city having pre-arranged two loans worth up to 4.5 billion crowns for investments. The construction of the hall has been criticized in the past by some opposition politicians.

If construction begins, the company has a period of 30 months from the handover of the construction site. "It is not definitively clear that construction will begin immediately after signing the contract, but we clearly indicate that we want to implement the project. I believe that construction will start this year," said Brno Mayor Markéta Vaňková (ODS).

The city will wait for the decision of the European Commission on whether to approve financial support for the construction of the hall from public finances. The state’s National Sports Agency has promised a grant, supporting projects up to a maximum of 300 million crowns. The region has also promised support, and the city of Brno will incur costs, having approved by the council that it can draw up to 4.5 billion crowns from two banks for investments. If everything goes smoothly, Vaňková anticipates that construction could begin in the summer. If the European Commission does not approve the support, the city can unilaterally terminate the contract without penalties.

The hall will be operated by the city company Arena Brno. No interested party applied to operate the hall in the concession process. Vaňková stated that over time, the city will try to find a new operator. "We want to build a multifunctional regional facility that will offer top conditions for organizing cultural, sports, trade fair, and conference events at an international level," Vaňková stated.

According to the city councilor and chairman of the board of Arena Brno, Petr Kratochvíl (ODS), the construction will also prompt further investments. "There will be reclamation of a large area near the center, leading to significant development of this part of the city," Kratochvíl stated. The Directorate of Roads and Highways of the Czech Republic plans work on a large city ring road in the section Bauerova near the exhibition grounds. "This involves adjustments to a one-kilometer section that will improve safety and allow for transportation connection to the hall. The transport company is also continuing preparations for the construction of a tram loop at the nearby transport hub Lipová," Kratochvíl recalled.

The construction of the hall has previously been criticized by opposition groups such as the Greens and Zít Brno. According to their representatives, the budget for this year is subordinated to the construction of the hall and will jeopardize the funding of other city needs. Jana Drápalová (Greens) noted that there is no money left, for example, for the construction of an athletic hall, the transformation of the prison on Cejl street into a Creative Center, and she sees education as underfunded, suggesting that the city has resigned on energy savings.

The hall is to have two underground and six above-ground floors. The built-up area will be nearly 16,700 square meters. The enclosed space will be 475,000 square meters. The hall's capacity will be up to 13,300 seats. Along with the hall, 1,300 parking spaces will be created.