The multipurpose sports hall in Frýdek-Místek will be demolished

Frýdek-Místek - The multipurpose sports hall, which has been one of the landmarks of Frýdek-Místek for nearly 40 years, will be demolished. The investor, the Prague company Euro Mall FM, confirmed its intention to build a recreational and shopping center in its place. This was announced today by the spokesperson for Frýdek-Místek, Jana Matějíková. According to her, the dismantling of the hall will likely begin in the last week of August.
    The plan to demolish the hall and build a shopping center in its place was approved by the city councilors as early as 2009. Some architects and a portion of the city's residents protested against it. However, according to city officials, the reconstruction of the old hall would be more expensive than building a new one.
    "The investor contacted us stating that they will send us a request to sign purchase agreements in the coming days. The city will sell the land beneath the multipurpose sports hall to the investor for 80 million crowns as outlined in the future purchase agreements signed in August 2009," said Mayor Michal Pobucký.
    The equipment from the hall, valued at nearly 36 million crowns, primarily cooling equipment and barriers, will be retained by the city and used in the new Polar hall. This will be located northeast of the current hall. Its construction was approved by the councilors in April this year, with costs expected to reach almost 290 million crowns. The capacity of the new hall will be 2500 spectators, while the old hall accommodated 6500. However, city officials believe that the capacity will be sufficient, and moreover, savings on operating costs will be achieved due to the smaller building. A hockey club will operate in the hall, and cultural events will also take place there.
    The multipurpose sports hall, which can also be seen from Lysá hora in the Beskids, was built around 1975. Local people helped build it for free as part of the so-called "Action Z". The city has owned the hall since 2004, when it acquired it at an auction for ten million crowns. According to Matějíková, over 30 million crowns have been invested in its necessary renovations. The last major event in the hall was a concert by legendary American punk singer Iggy Pop on June 22.