Prague wants to buy the greyhound racing track in Motol and convert it into an athletic stadium

Prague - Prague plans to purchase the greyhound racing venue in Motol and convert it into an athletic stadium. In response to a query from ČTK, city councilor Antonín Klecanda (STAN) stated this. The buildings are located on municipal land, and the owner of the racetrack has a lease agreement until at least 2035. However, according to the councilor, it is better to buy the site as soon as possible and utilize it for the needs of the city, which lacks sports facilities. A preliminary agreement has already been reached, according to Klecanda, and the expected price is around 200 million crowns, which he believes is significantly below the appraised value of the real estate.

The land on Plzeňská street in Košíře was leased from the city by the firm Czech International in 2005 for 30 years with an option for another ten years. In 2013, they opened a greyhound racing venue there, the construction of which, according to previous information, cost 350 million crowns excluding interiors and facilities. The complex includes restaurants, and under the building, there is a parking lot with 190 parking spaces.

The city hall has been negotiating the possible purchase of the buildings on its land for a longer period. Previously, city representatives spoke of the possibility of a new cycling center with a velodrome being established on the plots, as planned by the National Sports Agency (NSA). However, according to an earlier statement by Klecanda, that will eventually take place in Brno, and a large sports facility for athletic clubs from Prague 5 and for hosting competitions is to be established in the place of the dog racing venue.

According to the councilor, the current stadium can be relatively easily converted for its new purpose, which is also advantageous because there is important water main piping under the land, the relocation of which due to construction would be exceptionally complicated and costly. Both Prague 5 and the entire city need new athletic facilities. "We don't have many sports facilities where outdoor athletic competitions can be held," he said.

The agreement that city representatives have so far verbally negotiated with the owners of the racetrack is, according to the councilor, advantageous for the city. Klecanda added that he would like to finalize the transaction as soon as possible, but it depends on how quickly it can be approved at the level of the municipal coalition and then legally and procedurally settled. The city council of the municipal district of Prague 5 has already expressed its agreement with the intention.