Prague has a committee for the Strahov Stadium, it will also discuss the plans of the football association

Prague - The Prague magistrate has established a commission of the council for the coordination of planned changes to the Strahov Stadium and its surroundings; due to the protection of the stands, it also wants to initiate discussions with heritage conservationists. This was reported to ČTK by Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (STAN). The advisory body also includes a representative of the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR), which has announced a competition for the construction of a new stadium on the site of the neighboring Evžen Rošický Stadium. The commission will comment in more detail on the association's plans after the competition concludes at a subsequent meeting in June, Hlaváček stated.

According to Hlaváček, the inaugural meeting of the commission took place about two weeks ago. "FAČR informed us on this occasion about the preparation of a study, and the capital city of Prague expressed its opinion that the predominant function of sport should be preserved in the Strahov area," the deputy said.

The result of the competition will be approved by the general assembly of the association on May 30, according to a statement made on Wednesday by FAČR Chairman Petr Fousek. The only bid that met the criteria was submitted by Prague's Sparta. The association will now negotiate further with them. According to FAČR's vision, the new stadium should be built by 2035. Hlaváček stated that after the competition's conclusion, representatives of Prague will study the results thoroughly and the commission will convene again regarding Strahov to discuss them in detail with the representatives of the association.

The smaller Evžen Rošický and Friendship stadiums are owned by FAČR, while the capital city owns the large Strahov Stadium with its heritage-protected stands. According to Hlaváček, an innovation center could be created in the eastern stand in collaboration with the Czech Technical University (ČVUT). The southern stand could retain its cultural function, which is currently utilized by the organization Post Bellum. "At Karlín Barracks, we found that pre-negotiations with heritage protection authorities were effective. We will initiate similar discussions regarding Strahov to understand the perspectives and limits of heritage protection," added the deputy.

Prague also plans to improve transportation connections to Strahov, which will be facilitated by a new tram line from Malovanka. The city, along with the transport company, will submit an application for permission this year, according to Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), and will subsequently find a construction company for the track construction, which should be completed by 2027 at the latest.

The large Strahov Stadium was built on a site bounded by today's streets Atletická and Vaníčkova for the purpose of hosting Sokol mass gatherings in 1926, based on the design of architect Alois Dryák. It was later extended several times, and from 1960 to 1975, the complex was completely constructed to meet the needs of national Spartakiads. The last Spartakiad took place at the stadium in 1985. After the fall of communism, the complex hosted, among other things, concerts by world stars and several exhibition events.