<Hradec Králové has a contract for the stadium, Strabag will start construction in the fall>

Hradec Králové – The city of Hradec Králové today signed a contract with a consortium of companies Strabag, Geosan Group, and D&D Elektromont for the construction of a new football stadium. The contract price is 568 million crowns excluding VAT, making it the largest contract in the modern history of the city. The companies will now design the stadium. The construction itself, including the demolition of the existing stadium, is expected to begin in the fall. Everything should be completed within two years, by spring 2023, city representatives said. The city has been preparing the construction on the site of the partially demolished multi-sport stadium from 1966 for over 15 years.

Chairman of the board of Strabag, Ondřej Novák, stated that the first step after signing the contract will be to finalize the project documentation. The exact construction schedule will now be subject to negotiations with the city. "We will start with the demolition in the fall, for which we have a building permit, and the removal of (lighting) masts," he said. According to him, the stadium will be not just for sports, but also for cultural events and for relaxation and leisure for the residents of Hradec.

The second division club FC Hradec Králové, which belongs to the city, stated that the new stadium is a guarantee for the continued existence of the club. "Without a dignified home, the club would face a gradual but inevitable demise," said Jan Michálek, chairman of the board of FC Hradec Králové. The new arena is also expected to help the city secure a strategic partner for the club.

The consortium of companies Strabag, Geosan Group, and D&D Elektromont won the tender that the city council announced last September. As the winner of the competition, the consortium was approved by city council members at the end of March. In the past, the city had issued three tenders for the construction, but none was completed. Now the city has announced the contract using the Design and Build method. Basic requirements were set by the city regarding the size and functions of the stadium, and bidders were also required to respect the limits set by previously issued building permits for the stadium.

Initially, four entities applied for the tender, but preliminary offers were submitted by three entities in February. The evaluation committee selected the winner on March 5. The tender organizers noted that the winning bid was significantly better than the two remaining bids. They emphasized that the consortium led by Strabag included multifunctional use in the proposal, such as incorporating three gymnasiums, a hundred-meter indoor track, and an outdoor amphitheater into the stadium. The stadium is expected to provide facilities and outdoor space for conferences, festivals, and harvest festivals. Up to 25,000 spectators should be able to fit in the auditorium and on the playing field for concerts. "A 600-meter long athletic oval will lead around the stadium," said the Deputy Mayor for Investments, Jiří Bláha (ODS).

The total costs for acquiring the stadium should not exceed 605 million crowns excluding VAT. Last July, the city signed a contract with Arcadis Czech Republic, which will manage the construction for 31.8 million crowns excluding VAT. Thus, 573.2 million crowns excluding VAT remains for the actual construction. The Strabag, Geosan, and D&D consortium offered a price about five million crowns lower.

According to the city council, the stadium should meet UEFA Category 4 standards, which are for stadiums hosting international matches. It should also meet the requirement for a multifunctional arena. The capacity of the arena should be 8,000 spectators with the possibility to increase to 9,300 seats. All seats are expected to be covered. The characteristic lighting of the existing stadium, in the form of so-called masts, will also be preserved. The city aims to secure state funding for the construction.