Jihlava has initiated the construction of an arena costing 1.9 billion crowns, set to be completed in the autumn of 2025

Jihlava - An old ice rink in Jihlava will be demolished by November, and in its place, a multifunctional arena will be built by autumn 2025. It will not only serve hockey and other sports but is also planned to host cultural events. The construction costing 1.9 billion crowns excluding VAT was symbolically initiated by representatives of the city, the region, and the supplier company GEMO in Smetanovy Sady near the stadium.

According to Mayor Petr Ryška (ODS), the new arena will contribute to the development of sports, culture, and social life in the city in the coming decades. He stated that it is one of the investments that will help make Jihlava a full-fledged regional metropolis.

"This is a milestone and the culmination of four and a half years of very complicated work, perhaps even beyond expectations, during which events like COVID, the war, and others occurred," said David Beke (ODS), Jihlava councilor and stadium construction manager, to ČTK. Due to the mentioned circumstances, the project's costs gradually increased during preparation.

The Vysočina Region will contribute half a billion crowns to the new Horácká multifunctional arena (HMA), and the National Sports Agency (NSA) will provide 300 million crowns. The remaining costs will be covered by Jihlava from its resources and through loans. The old stadium has been cleared inside. Simultaneously with its demolition, builders will prepare for new construction.

The Horácký ice rink was completed in 1955, with its roof added in 1967. The home matches of the hockey team Dukla were played there. Discussions about whether to renovate the stadium, build a new one on the same spot in the center, or on the outskirts of the city lasted several years.

Among the hockey legends of Dukla who came to say goodbye to the stadium were Jan Klapáč and Jiří Holík. "We experienced wonderful years here, glorious years," said Holík. He noted that he played at the stadium from the age of 15. "Nostalgia, but that's how it goes. Some of those inanimate things age, so new ones are built," he said. He wished for the new hall to be successful.

The intention to build the arena in place of the old stadium was approved by Jihlava city councilors in December 2018. The architectural competition for the design of the hall was won in the following year by the architectural office Chybík and Krištof. The city hall initiated the selection procedure for the construction contractor in February 2022. It received five offers ranging in price from 1.909 to 2.25 billion crowns excluding VAT. Even the lowest bid was half a billion higher than the city had then anticipated.

The city hall awarded the contract to the Olomouc company GEMO, which submitted the lowest price bid. The construction has 26 months to complete. "There is no project where we have not met deadlines and contractual conditions, so you don't have to worry," said Jaromír Uhýrek, the chairman of the board, today.

The start of construction work in recent months has been delayed by objections from residents of three apartment buildings on Tyršova Street against the issuance of the demolition order. They withdrew their objections when the city council approved financial compensation for measures against noise and dust during the construction of the arena. The last condition for starting the arena's construction was fulfilled this week on Monday when the city hall received confirmation of the expected grant from the NSA.