Pardubice approved the renovation of the summer stadium

Pardubice - The leadership of Pardubice today received a mandate from the councilors to continue preparations for the modernization of the summer stadium and the modification of the surrounding area for approximately half a billion crowns. In September this year, however, the councilors were against it. Mayor Martin Charvát (ANO) was tasked with seeking funding sources, meanwhile the city declared it would pay for the investment from a loan. He is also to ensure an opposing expert opinion that could suggest a reduction in the project cost.

Architect Milan Košař (Pardubáci) pushed for a resolution to keep part of the area on U Stadionu Street in so-called reserve, because the area is valuable and the city does not have to immediately propose its use. An investor could be found who might, for example, build a concert hall there. Architect Aleš Klose (Pardubáci) opposed the placement of the sports facility in the middle of the city.

“The stadium should be located elsewhere. We are unnecessarily making Pardubice a small town. The most valuable areas are taken up by parking spaces. I have a very bad feeling about this,” he stated.

Pardubice wishes to renovate the stadium from 1931, with the eastern grandstand and Borci Gate being a cultural monument. The sports facility was designed by architects Karel Řepa and Ferdinand Potůček. The city has divided the investment into two phases, in the first phase the summer stadium will be renovated and the number of spectator seats will be significantly increased. The facility is to have parameters for hosting the top football league.

The first phase is to take place from 2019 to 2020, followed by the construction of additional facilities for athletes, parking spaces, lighting, and modifications to the Elbe waterfront. In response to criticism that the site demands more parking spaces, the mayor clarified that the city hall will also want to build a parking garage for approximately 150 million crowns. It should be completed by the time the entire project is finished.

“More parking spaces, however, draw traffic into the city. We need to set a higher price level for parking to motivate people to arrive at events using public transport,” added Charvát.