Prague is considering the purchase of the greyhound racing track on Plzeňská, it could be a velodrome there

Prague – The Prague City Hall is considering purchasing the greyhound racing track on Plzeňská Street in Prague 5, which is located on leased municipal land. According to Prague councillors Jan Chabr (TOP 09) and Vít Šimral (Pirates), a cycling center with a velodrome could be established there in collaboration with the National Sports Agency (NSA) and the Czech Cycling Federation (ČSC) instead of the racing track. However, according to Chabr, it is first necessary to assess whether the property is suitable for redevelopment.

The land near Plzeňská Street in Košíře was leased from the city by the company Czech International in 2005 for 30 years with the option for an additional 10 years. In 2013, they opened the area with a greyhound racing track, which, according to previous information, cost 350 million without interiors and gastro facilities to build. The complex includes restaurants and there is a large parking lot underneath the building.

According to Chabr, the owners of the racing track previously asked the city to purchase the land, but the city hall rejected the request, so negotiations for the purchase of the properties are likely to follow. The city administration is responding to a proposal from the cycling federation, which has chosen the racing track as a suitable location for building the project called National Cycling Center.

The federation operates a covered cycling track near the racing track, which it would like to replace with a fully-fledged velodrome that meets the parameters for international competitions, complemented by other sports facilities or a cycling museum. According to ČSC spokesperson Michal Kramer, the project is in its early stages. "Currently, discussions are focused on supporting the project and its feasibility,” he stated.

According to Chabr, the city will negotiate with the NSA in January, as it is necessary to evaluate whether it will be possible to utilize parts of the grandstand and underground garage of the current complex during a potential redevelopment. He also mentioned the need to discuss financing, which he believes should be provided by the state. "On part of the land, municipal apartments could also be built,” he added.

"From my perspective, it makes sense because there is no velodrome with Olympic parameters here, and I think the city deserves one,” said councillor Šimral. He added that the location is also advantageous and the federation could offer the existing track to the city for the construction of additional sports facilities. The construction of the velodrome has also been agreed upon by the urban development committee and the Prague 5 council.

Czech cyclists have long complained about the lack of a modern velodrome in the country. Its construction is being prepared in Brno in Komárov, where the city hall has already completed the project for territorial decision, according to previous reports. The sports facility is expected to cost 890 million crowns.