Prague could build a new athletics hall in Jižní Město

Prague - An athletic hall for athletes from the capital could be built in Jižní Město on U Modré školy street. Prague 11 commissioned a volumetric study for the project, which showed that a hall could fit in the location, said Jan Stárek (TOP 09), the councilor for sports, culture, and leisure in Prague 11, to ČTK today. The estimated cost of construction is 500 million crowns. The local government of Jižní Město wants to negotiate its financing with the Prague city hall and the Czech Athletic Federation, he stated.

Stárek pointed out that last year, the capital city signed a memorandum with the Czech Athletic Federation regarding the construction of an athletic hall. The document was signed by former Prague Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO) and the chairman of the Czech Athletic Federation Libor Varhaník. "The political landscape has changed, it is necessary to renew contacts, and if Prague takes this to heart, ideally the responsible councilor or perhaps the mayor, Prague 11 will provide maximum cooperation," Stárek further said. According to him, Prague should also join the project for prestige reasons. "It has no athletic hall and should seriously consider this. Ostrava has one, Brno is building, Pardubice is building, I believe that the political landscape in Prague will support us," he added.

In addition to sports facilities, the hall could have another benefit in the form of parking spaces. It provides the possibility to build an underground parking lot with up to 300 spots. The hall needs about a hundred for servicing, while 200 spots could serve as a P+R parking lot, according to Stárek.

After resolving the financing of the hall's construction, an architectural competition should be announced, according to Stárek.

There is great interest in athletics in Prague; according to data from the Czech Athletic Federation, nearly 50 clubs operate here. Athletics Jižní Město is among the largest clubs, with 450 members and still growing, he noted, stating that they achieve excellent results but lack adequate facilities.

Currently, there are two athletic halls in Prague - in Strahov and Stromovka, which Varhaník previously stated are insufficient in capacity. The new hall should serve both elite and beginner athletes.