Jeseník is building a sports hall for 65 million crowns

author: Radoslav Novotný, Arch.Design

Jeseník - The Jeseník town hall has begun the long-planned construction of a sports hall at a cost of nearly 65 million crowns. City representatives signed a contract with the contractor on Tuesday, who is expected to build the new sports venue in less than a year. The hall will be located on Dukelská Street on the site of the original hall, which was demolished in April. This is the most significant and long-awaited investment project for the city, spokesperson Richard Kapustka informed ČTK today. The city decided to proceed with the construction despite losing funding from the Ministry of Education due to the cancellation of the grant title.

The hall will be built by OHL ŽS. "The construction period is planned for 260 days from the start of construction under suitable weather conditions," said Jiří Uher, head of the investment department at the Jeseník town hall.

The Olomouc Region contributed 17 million crowns to the construction of the sports hall, and the city also received a 15-million crown donation from a Jeseník company operating slot machines. However, the town lost a 15-million crown grant, which it managed to secure from the Ministry of Education last year after several months of effort. Since the demolition of the hall only began this year, the city expected to receive the grant again this year. However, after the grant scandal, the ministry's grant title was canceled. "After the cancellation of the grant program by the Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports, the city of Jeseník will apply for financial resources under the newly announced call," added Uher.

The multi-purpose sports hall will be divided into a section for athletes and one for spectators. The hall will have a central playing area measuring 20 by 40 meters, designed primarily for futsal, floorball, or volleyball. It will feature a climbing wall that is 17 meters wide and up to ten meters tall, a clubroom, changing rooms for athletes, and washing facilities.

"There will also be direct access for students of the vocational school to the area designated for athletes from the new connecting hallway. The spectator area will consist of a stand for about 385 seated spectators," said the head of the investment department. The construction will also include the installation of utility connections, parking spaces, roads, sidewalks, and the placement of furniture and greenery.

The sports facility will be located near the football stadium and the reconstructed city swimming pool. The original sports hall was built in 1974. According to city representatives, it was already unsuitable for sports purposes. The hall did not meet the required parameters, and competitive matches could not be played there.