Interested parties want to build the Jihlava arena for 1.9 to 2.25 billion crowns

Jihlava – Price offers for the construction of the Jihlava Horácká multifunctional arena (HMA) range from 1.9 to 2.25 billion crowns. The offered prices are higher than the city anticipated, and therefore the councilors must decide on the next steps in the coming months. The Jihlava city hall informed of this in a press release today. The city hall approached the tender with an estimated budget of around 1.3 billion crowns. The councilors will address financing at a meeting on August 23.

“However, the councilors will likely begin discussing options for addressing the price increase. For my part, I want to assure the public that building the new multifunctional hall remains our priority, as it will have enormous significance for the entire region,” said Jihlava councilor and HMA construction manager David Beke (ODS). A fundamental decision is not expected at the first council meeting.

The submitted offers will be evaluated by a commission composed of experts, representatives from the Vysočina Region, and political clubs of the Jihlava council. “This process will take several weeks,” said Deputy Mayor for Investments and City Development Petr Ryška (ODS). The first meeting of the commission will be on August 10.

Five companies submitted offers to build the new arena. Price is only one of the criteria.

According to opposition councilor Jiří Pokorný (ANO), Jihlava should seek to obtain more funding from the region and the state because the HMA is significant for the whole region, not just for the city.

The new arena would allow hosting cultural events in addition to hockey and other sports matches. The state has a plan for the site of the ice rink, the demolition of which is included in the contract. The city expects a grant of 300 million CZK from the National Sports Agency. Jihlava councilors approved a loan of up to 600 million for the construction of the arena, and the Vysočina Region promised to provide half a billion crowns for it.