Jihlava presented the model of a multipurpose arena, the construction of which is being prepared

Jihlava - In the premises of the Jihlava ice rink, interested parties could for the first time view a model of the multi-purpose arena that the city intends to build in place of the stadium. According to the city's plans, the demolition of the stadium should begin at the end of next year. This will be preceded by the construction of dressing rooms at the nearby smaller hall for winter sports, which will then operate independently. David Beke (ODS), Jihlava's councilor and arena construction manager, told ČTK today.

The working model of the arena, processed at a scale of 1:100, was provided by the architectural studio Chybík+Krištof. The public and representatives of Jihlava and the Vysočina Region, which recently announced its support for this project, can view it. "So they can get a better idea of what we are actually planning. Because the model might convey it better than ten visualizations," said Beke.

Before the old stadium can be demolished, the councilor stated that it will be necessary to build dressing rooms next year at the adjacent smaller hall, which currently utilizes the facilities of the large stadium. The cost of this construction will be approximately ten to 20 million crowns. It will contain 14 dressing rooms, of which six will remain permanently after the new arena is completed, Beke noted.

The costs for the arena, where it will be possible to hold not only the Extraliga hockey matches and other sporting events but also cultural and social events, are estimated to be around one billion crowns according to preliminary estimates. This estimate is gradually being refined. A precise budget for the project should be received by the city hall in the first months of next year, Beke added.

The Horácký ice rink is home to the Dukla hockey players. The upcoming winter season will likely be their last there. The city owns both the club and the sports facility. During construction, Dukla should be provided accommodations at the stadium in Pelhřimov. According to club manager Bedřich Ščerban, it will be a very challenging period. "On the other hand, if we look beyond the horizon of these two years, what will be created here, and where we should subsequently be, it brings me joy," he said to ČTK during today's presentation of the new arena model.