Olomouc City Council postponed the decision on the construction of a multifunctional hall

Multipurpose Hall Olomouc (project by Šuráň studio, 2020)

Olomouc - The Olomouc council today postponed its decision on the direction the city will take in the construction of a new multipurpose hall, which is meant to replace the long-standing ice rink. Although the council leaned towards the project of the developer group Redstone based on an analysis of three construction options in May, part of the city council did not support this solution at that time. The council decided today that the analysis will be re-discussed and subsequently voted on by October 31.

Experts in the analysis presented to the council and later to the city council compared the financial demands of the investment and the costs for 30 years of operating the hall. The first option involves a gradual reconstruction of the old ice rink and the construction of a small hall nearby. The investor would be the city. Another option is the construction of a multipurpose hall by Redstone on Velkomoravská street. The construction of a new hall funded by the city is also under consideration.

The analysis indicated that the project by Redstone is the most favorable for the city, involving the construction of the hall on the grounds of former military warehouses on Velkomoravská street near the city center. This plan requires an investment of 1.85 billion crowns. The developer aims to secure financing for the construction, while the city hall is expected to contribute to the operational costs of the hall for 30 years. The initial annual contribution from the city towards the operation of the hall is set to be 37 million crowns.

Opposition councilor Martin Major (Together) pointed out today that the members of the council had little time to study the extensive analysis. "Communication from the current coalition started only at the moment when the material was discussed by the council and passed by the narrowest possible majority of the ruling ANO movement. Other coalition parties have distanced themselves from the project," Major said. The council then approved a resolution at the proposal of coalition councilor Milan Feranec (ANO), which granted them three months to discuss the results of the comparative analysis.

Before voting on the choice of construction option for the hall, it is necessary, according to Major, to thoroughly discuss the results of the analysis, as the council will be deciding on a long-term investment project. "The decision must be a majority and cannot pass by the skin of its teeth," he added. Richard Morávek, chairman of the board of Redstone, also told the council that the proposed project for the multipurpose hall spans several electoral terms and needs to be approved by a significant majority across political parties. Redstone is willing to wait for the council’s response until the end of October.

Redstone has been negotiating with the city about possible cooperation in the construction and operation of the five-story multipurpose hall since 2021. The city has not succeeded in bringing its own project for a new facility providing infrastructure for sports and culture to life. Morávek pointed out that if the company and the city council agree on cooperation, the project will first need to be notified by the European Commission. According to Morávek, the plan is advantageous for the city because it would eliminate the need for a large initial investment in a new city hall.