A temporary structure will be built next year at the Prague Exhibition Grounds

Prague - A temporary prefabricated building will rise on the site of the burnt wing of the Industrial Palace at Prague's Exhibition Grounds by the middle of next year. This was approved by the city council today. Once the repairs to the building begin, it will be possible to sell the tent or use it elsewhere. Part of the palace has been destroyed since the fire in 2008.

"We are entering the implementation phase, where specific results will finally be visible," said the city councilor for property Karel Grabein Procházka (ANO), adding that the actual construction of the replica of the fire-damaged left section of the palace will not begin for several more years. The creation of a temporary structure in the meantime will allow for events to be held.

The costs for the hall are estimated at 40 to 60 million crowns. It could serve for a few years, after which it could be demolished and used elsewhere. The subsequent replica of the burnt wing could, according to various estimates, cost between 700 million and 1.5 billion crowns.

The city leadership recently presented a package of changes that are to be implemented at the site in the near future. Besides the construction of the tent, advertisements that line the current entrance will disappear. They will now be located on two columns at the entrance. There are also plans for self-service ticket sales. In the future, the entrance towards Stromovka is to be modified.

The left wing of the palace was destroyed by a fire in 2008. After the fire, the city had a temporary tent constructed. A temporary hall costing between 200 and 300 million was supposed to be built in its place, but this was opposed by conservationists. In the end, it will not be built, and instead, the city will install a tent structure.

The situation around the Exhibition Grounds, which is a protected monument, has been addressed by Prague for many years. Some time ago, the city was released from a long-term and, according to some opinions, disadvantageous lease agreement with Incheba. However, this company will continue to hold some other events at the exhibition grounds until 2018. The area near Stromovka was created in 1891 on the occasion of the Jubilee Land Exhibition. It was damaged by flooding in 2002 and by the fire in the Industrial Palace six years later.