Brno will wait until the end of the year to see if it will receive a subsidy for the construction of an athletics hall

Brno – Brno will wait until the end of the year to see if it will receive a grant of 300 million crowns from the National Sports Agency for the construction of an athletic hall. It plans to build it near the university campus for about 800 million. If the city receives the grant, it will construct the hall; if not, it will have to consider further steps. This was the response of Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL), the mayor's deputy, to reporters' inquiries today. He added that he is optimistic and believes that construction could begin next year.

The proposal for the construction of the athletic hall was brought forth by the previous coalition led by the ANO movement, which selected a contractor back in 2018. The hall has construction permission and the build was supposed to be completed this year. However, the new coalition led by the ODS has interrupted the project several times, citing funding issues. Hladík stated today that the city should receive a decision from the National Sports Agency, which it is requesting the 300 million from, by the end of the year. "The contract with the contractor is still valid, and we are proceeding with the process as the contract allows us. At the same time, we are waiting for the grant. We will certainly wait a while longer, but it is a political decision. I believe we are on a positive path and that construction will begin next year," Hladík said.

If the agency provides the funds, according to him, there will be nothing to resolve and the hall will be built. "If the situation is the opposite, it does not automatically mean a halt, but we will have to take further steps and make a definitive decision," Hladík stated. He mentioned that if construction occurs, it might cost more due to the rise in construction material prices. "Czech legislation and the contract allow for a certain increase if the company can demonstrate it. We can objectively sense that material prices have jumped," Hladík added.

The hall is to be located between Netroufalky and Bítešská streets, opposite the Faculty of Sports Studies at Masaryk University. It will offer 2,200 seats for spectators and 170 parking spaces. It is intended to provide facilities for athletes, who lack an indoor training hall in South Moravia during the winter. The hall should also serve Masaryk University.