Pardubice canceled the tender for the modernization of the summer stadium

Pardubice – Pardubice today canceled the selection process for the construction company that was to modernize the summer football stadium. Many comments were received, so the city will clarify the tender documentation. The decision of the city council was communicated today by Deputy Mayor Jan Nadrchal (ANO) to ČTK.

"During the deadline, we received a considerable number of inquiries, and we received comments and objections, we came to the decision to cancel the selection process and carry out a revision of the tender documentation. At the moment when we are sure that everything will be in order, we will announce the process again," said Nadrchal.

Companies had two months to submit applications, which is somewhat longer than usual. The reconstruction of the summer stadium will continue to use the Design & Build method, where the selected company is responsible for preparing the project documentation and construction. The limit price will remain at 430 million crowns excluding VAT.

"Price may be one of the reasons why the selection process did not work out. When competitions are held for stadiums elsewhere, the amounts are significantly higher," said Nadrchal, adding that he is not a construction expert and cannot assess the price competently.

According to Nadrchal, there was no major complication. "I assume that the same contractors who submitted comments will apply for the competition," he added.

City councilors were supposed to confirm the investment in the fall after the completion of the tender. Part of the opposition is against the modernization and does not want it at all. "We would be happy if the council decided that the investment does not make sense given the current economic situation. It is a non-subsidized project costing half a billion. However, if the project was halted for procedural reasons, we welcome that, because we do not want it," said opposition councilor Vojtěch Jirsa (Pirates).

The opposition association Pardubáci wants to repair the stadium together. "We could imagine that it could be done within modest limits. We liked the proposal, visually it should correspond to a great place. The tender conditions should be competitive; it's probably the fault of the team that prepared it. If it’s a project that cannot be competed for, then I ask where the mistake occurred," said councilor František Brendl.

The city wants to repair and modernize the stadium in the first phase without the eastern stand, surrounding streets, and waterfront. Repairs are planned for 20 months. The coalition's original considerations were to repair everything at once. However, the costs would exceed the city's capabilities. An initiative has also emerged against the stadium called "We Don't Want a Stadium on Debt," which desires a referendum.