The Opava city councilors did not approve the reconstruction of the winter stadium

Opava - The Opava city council today did not approve the plan for the reconstruction of the municipal ice hockey stadium. The first phase was supposed to involve 100 million Czech crowns. The decision on what to do next with the stadium, which urgently needs repairs, will likely be left to the new council that will emerge from the autumn municipal elections.

The Opava ice hockey stadium was built in 1953 and was covered as the third in the country in 1956. “Now, during games, we are being warned that the stadium is potentially dangerous; there needs to be a larger security service, more police, and the operation is much more costly,” said Dalibor Halátek, the deputy mayor of Opava (Change for Opava), to ČTK.

According to him, a comprehensive reconstruction including cladding, refurbishment, and a VIP zone would cost approximately 214 million Czech crowns. The plan presented today concerned the first phase, which was to include the reconstruction of the stands, facilities, and the ice surface. “The restrooms are in a catastrophic state, as are the locker rooms, which are from the 60s and 70s and desperately need renovation,” Halátek stated. However, if reconstruction begins in 2020, it would be a significant victory, according to him.

Today, the council members also discussed whether it might be better to build a new stadium, even if it would accommodate fewer spectators. Halátek said that the city still sees potential in hockey, similar to when it decided in 2001 to build a new basketball hall. “It was also questioned whether 3000 people would attend basketball games, and now we are almost sold out even during the season before the playoffs. So I believe that once the stadium meets the required criteria, 3000 spectators will attend hockey games again,” said the deputy.