The sports complex at Lužánky will not be built; the leadership of Brno prioritizes other investments

Brno – A multifunctional sports complex, including a speed skating track in Brno near Lužánky, will not be built. City councilors decided to terminate the project planned during the previous electoral term at Wednesday's meeting. The reason is the preference for other city investments, Tadeáš Mima from the city hall's press office informed ČTK today. The estimated cost of constructing the sports complex was 170 million crowns.

The city leadership has decided to terminate the contract for the preparation of project documentation, engineering activities, and related services for the designated sports complex. Current investments or those for which project preparation is underway will take priority. "The reason includes the increase in construction work prices and the anticipated increase in the costs of operating such a facility. All this is in consideration of the city’s financial capabilities in the coming years and a focus on more priority construction investments in sports," Mima stated. All work done so far in preparation for the sports complex has been estimated at around 2.5 million crowns.

The city is now constructing its largest strategic project, a multifunctional hall at the exhibition grounds costing almost six billion crowns. It is primarily intended to serve the hockey team Kometa. Additionally, a new football stadium is planned, which could be built on the site of the current velodrome in the exhibition area. For cyclists, an oval combined with an athletics hall would be built. Years ago, the city planned to build a hall for athletes near the university campus. The contract with the contractor, with construction costs around 800 million, was signed in 2018, and a valid building permit was also obtained. However, after the elections, the leadership changed, and in light of securing financing, it decided to terminate the contract.

For part of the area behind Lužánky, where the sports complex was to be located, the city proposed a change in the new zoning plan to a mixed residential area. "It allows for a wide range of uses. The rest of the area behind Lužánky will remain purely for sports in the zoning plan. The goal is to create a compact place where people find everything they need. It is expected that municipal housing will also be developed here," Mima added.

The area also contains a dilapidated football stadium. The city hall is currently updating the project documentation concerning its demolition, which is expected to be completed this month. Subsequently, the city will select a contractor for the demolition, which is anticipated in the second half of this year.