The Pleskotova hall built from a gas holder will be called Gong

photo: Tomáš Souček

Ostrava - The new multifunctional hall in Ostrava, built from the former gas reservoir in the Lower Vítkovice area, will be called Gong. The winning design emerged from 400 ideas. Eva Kijonková, spokesperson for the engineering holding Vítkovice Machinery Group, said this today.
     The new name for the converted gas reservoir was chosen on Tuesday by the people behind the giant project. Among the group was, for example, the general director of Vítkovice Engineering Jan Světlík and architect Josef Pleskot. It was according to his design that the purely industrial building was transformed into a cultural and social one.
     "Out of 400 submitted proposals, we selected 25 for the finals. From those, the winning proposal was chosen," described Kijonková the process. Among the rejected proposals were names like Papiňák, Ostravský kultorojem, Rendlík, or Třeskyplesky. "From the more serious suggestions, we could mention Koloseum Vítkovice," she added.
     Gong has already hosted its first event. On Tuesday, Jarek Nohavica performed with the Janáček Philharmonic for invited guests. Other concerts are also planned, which the public will be able to attend. On May 17, the opening concert of this year's Janáček May music festival will take place there. In July, it will host several concerts of the Colours of Ostrava festival, which has entirely moved from the center of Ostrava to the Lower Vítkovice area.
     "No further concerts or social events are planned yet. Gong is currently in trial operation. Its official operation will start in the autumn," Kijonková added.
     The construction of the gas reservoir began in the second half of November 1922 and was completed at the end of January 1924. Until 1945, the gas reservoir operated without serious malfunctions, although it started to tilt due to undermined ground. At the end of World War II, it was hit by an aerial bomb, which lay at its bottom until 1970. During its operation, two major repairs and one general overhaul were carried out, and the facility operated until 1998. Last January, it was possible to lift the sunken bell of the emptied gas reservoir by 1492 centimeters.
     The conversion of the gas reservoir into the multifunctional hall Gong was designed by architect Josef Pleskot. According to his design, the original steel structure was preserved so that the historical value of the former gas reservoir remained intact. Light enters the building from above through a glass dome; additionally, one-quarter of the perimeter shell was cut out and replaced with glass. The building also offers a glass view of Blast Furnace No. 1, which was recently opened to tourists.