Prague will begin preparations for the reconstruction of Ďolíček, and wants to build around it

Prague - The Prague-based Prague Development Company (PDS) will start preparing architectural competitions for the reconstruction of the Vršovice stadium Ďolíček and the construction of a residential building and sports hall in its vicinity. City councilors decided on this today. The reconstruction should include an extension with commercial spaces. The residential building with 120 to 140 apartments is to be built on the parking lot west of the stadium, and the sports hall across from the street Vršovická. The city purchased the stadium from a private owner in 2018.

According to the mayor's deputy Petr Hlaváček (for TOP 09), the architectural competition for the reconstruction and completion of the stadium should come first. "The competition for the stadium could be announced as early as the summer," he said. He added that it is first necessary to complete the economic and operational analysis. He also mentioned that 15 percent of the apartments in the planned building should be allocated to Prague 10.

The stadium is to be expanded during the reconstruction so that its capacity meets the standards for first league matches and matches in European competitions. It currently does not meet these standards, and the Bohemians club has a long-term exemption. According to the approved document, the city is also considering expanding the southern stand along Vršovická street with offices and commercial spaces, which the city could use for its purposes or for commercial leasing.

Besides that, the city plans to build a building with municipal rental apartments on the adjacent parking lot. In addition to apartments, the city is counting on other commercial spaces. "The project also anticipates that more than 100 parking spaces will be built," states the document.

Across from the stadium, on Vršovická street, near the Přípotoční Gymnasium, a new covered sports hall is to be created. According to the city's plan, it should be used by the gymnasium, sports clubs, and the public, and it should include, in addition to sports areas, rental commercial spaces and a garage for 300 cars. Parking should also be available to local residents.

In addition, the city plans adjustments and improvements to the accessibility around the stadium. All planned projects will be prepared by PDS in cooperation with Prague 10 and other organizations to ensure better coordination of the development of the entire area.

PDS, which is a contributory organization of the capital city, estimates the costs for the preparation and construction of the residential building at about 620 million crowns, while the sports hall is estimated to cost more than 350 million CZK. In the case of the stadium, the costs for the reconstruction of the western, northern, and eastern stands are estimated at 340 million crowns. The considered completion of the building with the southern stand and commercial spaces is estimated by PDS to cost between 225 and 450 million CZK, depending on the extent.

The city began negotiating the transfer of Ďolíček with the private owner in 2011. The Prague 10 district initially wanted to buy the stadium, but the previous leadership of Prague disagreed with this. In the previous electoral period, an agreement was finally reached that the city would purchase the stadium. The football club Bohemians 1905 plays at the stadium, and uncertainty about the stadium had been causing problems for them for years.