Pardubice is selecting a study for the new design of the athletics stadium

Pardubice - In the architectural competition for a new design of the municipal athletics stadium in Pardubice, 20 projects from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and abroad have been submitted, of which the committee selected five. The winner will be determined in October. This was stated by the chairman of the committee, Saša Begović. The city hall aims to gradually modernize the sports complex, first planning to build an athletics hall for 250 million crowns.

"These were very good proposals. We didn't just try to select the prettiest ones, but also the technically feasible ones," said Begović. "International competitions are not common in the Czech Republic, and in this regard, Pardubice is playing the role of a pioneer," added the competition administrator, Igor Kovačevič.

The renovation of the dilapidated complex from 1959 will likely cost a billion crowns, so the city hall will proceed in phases. Deputy Mayor Helena Dvořáčková (ANO) estimates the transformation of the stadium to take 15 to 20 years. The athletics hall could be completed in five years, she stated.

The preparation of the competition assignment took two years, with participation from the public and sports clubs in Pardubice. The athletics hall should have a 200-meter oval and a capacity for 500 spectators. Plans include a multifunctional hall for 2000 to 2500 people, a gymnastics gym, and facilities for combat sports. The existing basketball hall is expected to remain on the site. The handball hall will be decommissioned in ten to 15 years, after which a new one will be built.

"The first phase could start construction in two to three years. After that, it depends on the politicians and their ability to procure funding. Whether they will allocate money for the gymnastics or combat sports hall is up to them," said project manager of the city council, Miroslav Janovský.

The city will present the first three best proposals from November 8 in the Gallery of the City of Pardubice. The city hall will pay 2.8 million crowns for the competition, including rewards for the winners. The city is currently starting the modernization of the old tartan track with nearly 12 million crowns from grant funds.