The industrial Ostrava Trojhalí is preparing for renovation

Ostrava - The Industrial Trojhalí in the former Ostrava coke plant Nová Karolina is preparing for reconstruction. A new multifunctional center will emerge from the buildings within a year. The renovation of the buildings will cost approximately 180 million crowns, most of which will be covered by a European grant, said Andrea Vojkovská, a spokesperson for the Ostrava city council, today.
      The heritage-protected Trojhalí buildings are the only ones that remain on the site of the former coke plant. Trojhalí consists of two halls from the former power plant and one hall from the former central office.
      The architectural solution for the buildings was developed by architect Josef Pleskot, who is the author of the renovation of the Dolní oblast Vítkovice complex, where the former gas holder has already been renovated into a social hall called Gong. According to Pleskot's proposal, the former power plant building should be transformed into a covered passage square. The renovated spaces will be approximately the same size as the central Masaryk Square in Ostrava.
      They will be used, for example, for holding markets, fairs, concerts, debates, exhibitions, or for sporting activities - such as skating or street tournaments in basketball, football, floorball, or beach volleyball. An information corner and gastronomic services should be part of it.
      In the central office building, multifunctional gyms with facilities for storing sports equipment will be created. "Everything could be supplemented by a shared basement that would connect both buildings, however, this solution is still under negotiation," explained Vojkovská.
      She added that Trojhalí will be connected to the city and the Dolní Vítkovice area, both by foot and by public transport. According to Mayor Petr Kajnar (ČSSD), the renovation of the building has regional significance, as it is expected to serve not only the inhabitants of Ostrava, but also its visitors, and the new spaces could thus contribute to the city's competitiveness.
      The company that will renovate Trojhalí has already begun preparatory work. If everything goes according to schedule, Trojhalí will be accessible to the public in September 2013.