Sušice will build a multipurpose sports hall for 130 million CZK

visualization: APRIS 3MP

Sušice (Klatovy) – The eleven-thousand-strong town of Sušice will build a multipurpose sports hall for 130 million crowns. A third of the costs will be covered by a grant from the State Fund for the Environment for the low-energy building. The modern hall for all types of indoor sports is lacking in the town, said mayor Petr Mottl (ODS) to ČTK.

Next year, Sušice plans to spend 40 to 60 million CZK on the two to 2.5-year construction. The project has been in preparation for 2.5 years, and a contractor has already been selected. However, the start date has been postponed again due to an appeal from one of the competitors.

"In today's state, everything is incredibly complicated, bureaucratic, and some opponents do not realize that a lot of hours and many people are behind this," said the mayor. A part of the local citizens also opposed the hall in a petition, preferring to invest money in the city hospital, which is in trouble. "From my perspective, the hall is unreasonably associated with the existence of the hospital. It seems to me completely the same as when we dealt with the construction of the swimming pool eight years ago. At that time, some council members claimed that we wanted to sell the hospital and build a pool with that money. However, the pool has been built, and the hospital is still here, and I hope it continues to be," he said.

The auctioned lowest price for the hall is 129 million CZK. "We are waiting for the decision of the Environmental Fund regarding the grant of 33 percent, and we should continue," said Mottl.

In Sušice, there are currently only school gyms, including the largest one at the high school. "We call it a hall, but it was built in the 70s and has already outlived its lifespan and is inadequate," said Mottl. The modern hall will accommodate 200 spectators. "We are positioning ourselves as the gateway to Šumava, perhaps its capital. We need to offer tourism infrastructure," he said. Architecturally interesting, the hall will be made of glass and wood, featuring a section for athletes—a short tartan running track with a landing area as well as a space for throwers. Two squash courts and a small climbing wall will be created on the second floor.

The hall will be built in the area Na Hrázi, in the unattractive former technical services complex, opposite the indoor swimming pool and the ice stadium. Thus, all sports facilities will be in one place, including the complex for footballers and athletes, a swimming pool, courts, and a relaxation area on Santos Island.