In Jihlava, objections were raised against the selection of the arena builder by a consortium of companies with Metrostav.

Jihlava - The association of Metrostav DIZ, OHLA ŽS, and Podzimek has filed objections against the decision of the Jihlava city hall regarding the selection of the builder for the arena, as their bid was unsuccessful. The city would like to assign the construction of the Horácká multifunctional arena (HMA) to the Olomouc-based company GEMO, which entered the tender with the lowest price of 1.909 billion crowns excluding VAT. At the same time, Jihlava will have to address the objections of residents of some apartments on Tyršova Street regarding the demolition order for the old stadium. David Beke (ODS), city councilor and project manager for the construction of the HMA, said this to reporters today.

The city will have the arena built instead of the old winter stadium, which will be demolished. Demolition was planned to begin in June or at the turn of June and July. The potential impact of the objections is difficult to estimate so far, according to Mayor Petr Ryška (ODS). If the city council can address the firms' objections in the first round and reach an agreement with the owners on the protection of the apartments on Tyršova Street during construction, the construction work could start approximately as planned. "If we do not reach an agreement, it is most likely to be extended," he said.

The association that filed objections against the selection of the company had previously offered to build the arena for 2.083 billion crowns excluding VAT, which was the third lowest bid out of a total of five.

The objections were submitted according to the councilor last Friday, which was the last possible day for their submission. "The main reason is that the evaluation process of the contract is being challenged. Lawyers need to analyze this. We believe that we have not done anything that would exceed the legal rules," Beke stated. If the complainants find the explanation inadequate, they can turn to the Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS).

In addition to the aforementioned companies, the bid was also contested by the Syner and Geosan Group association with a price of 1.988 billion crowns, BAK construction company, a.s., which offered 2.199 billion crowns, and PKS stavby, a.s., for 2.242 billion crowns. These are offered prices excluding VAT.

The objections regarding the issuance of the demolition order were submitted by the owners of 17 apartments on Tyršova Street, according to the councilor. Beke stated that he is in contact with lawyer Jaroslav Homolka, who represents people living near the stadium. The city hall had to reapply for the demolition order for the winter stadium because it did not manage to begin demolition last year as originally planned. "Unlike a building permit, a demolition order cannot be extended," said the councilor.

According to the city hall, the protection of the surrounding area, where there are also schools, is an important part of the planned construction. Discussions about specific measures would be easier, according to the councilor, if the selected contractor could already participate.

The old winter stadium in Jihlava has been closed since last year due to poor roofing, with the hockey team Dukla playing games in Pelhřimov and Jindřichův Hradec. The new arena will not only serve hockey and other sports, but it also includes hosting cultural and social events. The city has promised subsidies for the arena amounting to 800 million crowns – half a billion from the region and 300 million from the National Sports Agency (NSA). The remaining costs will be covered by loans and the city’s own funds.