Pardubice will approve money for the stadium repairs on Thursday

Pardubice – Representatives of Pardubice will approve funds for the repair of the summer football stadium on Thursday. The city has already selected a construction company to carry out the work. After modernization, the stadium will meet the conditions for the top football league, and the training field will also serve other athletes or schoolchildren, city officials announced today. The construction, costing 430 million crowns, will accommodate 4,600 spectators.

The city issued a tender in a Design and Build mode, meaning the company is also preparing the project. A new training field is also to be created, which will serve not only for football players but also for hockey players, figure skaters, or students from Bratranců Veverkových and Štefánikova elementary schools, the city leadership stated.

According to the proposal, the stands do not form a unified ring but are separate with gaps between them, which has raised concerns among the opposition. Deputy Mayor Jakub Rychtecký (ČSSD) said, however, that most stadiums in the country are like this.

"It is a standard stadium that meets the conditions for top-league football and youth national teams. The project cannot be assessed by one picture that has leaked to the media. There is no reason to wait; the investment has been under preparation for a long time; it is not about finding reasons why it cannot be done," Rychtecký said. According to Deputy Mayor Jan Nadrchala (ANO), separate stands are advantageous. They will allow for future expansions of facilities for spectators up to 6,600 to 8,800 spectators.

The modernization is important for the football club. The club was promoted to the top league last year after a long time. If the stadium modernization does not start as soon as possible this year, there is a risk that it will not meet the playing conditions.

"The football players are pressing for it. They were promoted to the top league last year with a clear commitment that reconstruction must start this year; otherwise, they risk relegation. The city of Pardubice is proceeding according to the schedule set in 2013, when it was decided to renovate the stadium," said Mayor Martin Charvát (ANO).

Part of the opposition has reservations about the investment. The Pirates and Greens criticize the project. TOP 09, which is part of the Coalition for Pardubice, called on representatives to ensure the city acts economically. "Given the current epidemic and economic situation, building a football stadium for hundreds of millions of crowns and indebting the city for 20 years is an unjustifiable gamble with public funds that could be lacking in the budget for the essential functioning of the city," said the chairman of the regional TOP 09, Michal Sláma.

The summer stadium from the 1930s, which is in a state of disrepair, was designed by architect Karel Řepa. The political representation of the city has long considered its repairs; in 2008, for example, they proposed an application for EU grants. The reconstruction does not include the Borců Gate, which is a cultural monument. The mayor hopes that during the 22-month modernization, the council will approve its repair and new uses, including cultural events.