<div>New ice rink in České Budějovice has started operations</div>

České Budějovice - Exactly one year to the day since the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone, the new ice rink in České Budějovice officially began operation today. The Jaroslav Pouzar Hockey Center is located on the site of the former barracks in the Čtyři Dvory neighborhood. It will primarily be used by youth and recreational athletes.
     "We have achieved something we have long strived for. It is important that we can offer sporting opportunities here for children from socially disadvantaged families," said former hockey representative Jaroslav Pouzar to journalists, who participated in the project at a cost of approximately 150 million crowns.
     The grand opening of the new stadium took place on Pouzar's 61st birthday. Exactly one year earlier, this three-time Stanley Cup winner laid the foundation stone. "I believed that we would manage to build it quickly and that the stadium would be available for children," he said.
     The testing operation of the hall began in November, when Pouzar's youth club Lvi České Budějovice started training in the new facilities. Gradually, a restaurant began operating on the premises, and the construction of rooms is starting. Teams arriving at the stadium for training camps will be able to use them.
     A request for support for the construction of the hall from EU funds submitted the year before last was unsuccessful. Therefore, the project management sought alternative paths for financing. Pouzar stated that the construction is being funded partially from its own sources, as well as from loans and with the support of other entities.
     Pouzar, who won the Stanley Cup three times with the Edmonton Oilers in the late 80s and early 90s, expects the České Budějovice Lions to gradually fill teams in all youth categories. "We want to raise players not only for hockey, but we also aim for them to grow into decent people," mentioned Pouzar's main motto for the project.