Ceske Budejovice – The South Bohemian Region will announce an architectural competition for the design of the Centre for Ball Games at the exhibition grounds in Ceske Budejovice. The estimated construction costs are 1.3 billion crowns. The multi-purpose hall is intended to accommodate 5,000 spectators and will host not only sports competitions but also congresses, conferences, and cultural events. The winning design will be selected by the region next February, with the aim of obtaining a building permit in July 2026 and completing the project by autumn 2028. This was stated today by representatives of the region, the city, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The architectural competition will address not only the hall but the entire area in front of the exhibition grounds. The hall will be located on the right side of the current entrance to the premises, near the intersection of Husova and Na Dlouhé Louce streets, and there will also be a new entrance to the exhibition grounds, which will include a parking garage and administrative buildings. The project emerged from an agreement between the region, which will build the facilities, Ceske Budejovice, which will develop the surrounding areas, and the Ministry of Agriculture, which, as the owner of the exhibition grounds, provided the land.
"If we want to elevate the exhibition grounds to a Central European level, we need to ensure a suitable and dignified entrance to the premises, which is part of the project. The parking garage will also be used for other events held at the exhibition grounds. It is another step towards its modernization," said Minister of Agriculture Marek Vyborny (KDU-ČSL) to journalists.
The South Bohemian Region commissioned a feasibility study, which indicates that the project will bring benefits to the region. Among other things, it expects that the multi-purpose center will annually attract 25,000 to 40,000 visitors to cultural events and an additional 90,000 to 120,000 sports enthusiasts, benefiting tourism as well. Sports clubs in the region will also find facilities for their members thanks to the center, and new job opportunities will arise.
"The hall is not meant to be just for (the volleyball club) Jihostroj, but it has to be a hall where volleyball can be played in the afternoon, prepared overnight, and in the morning a major world congress of doctors can start, and the next day there could even be a concert," said South Bohemian Governor Martin Kuba (ODS).
The current sports hall, which serves various sports clubs and particularly the Jihostroj volleyball club, is intended to be further developed by the city. "Today, we have more of a problem that we don't have enough spaces for athletes," added the Mayor's Deputy Petr Maroš (ODS).
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