Prague has selected a designer for the slalom course for water sports, the velodrome will not be built

Prague - The planned Water Sports Park project in Troja will be created for the Prague City Hall by the company Vodohospodářský rozvoj a výstavba for approximately 14.7 million CZK excluding VAT. The city council approved the procurement today. According to the proposal that has been in preparation for years, a new slalom course for water sports will first be built on the Troja canal, and then the city will also have the surrounding area modified. The future complex will serve both professional athletes and the public. Councilor Antonín Klecanda (STAN) stated today that after an agreement with Brno and the National Sports Agency (NSA) regarding the slalom course, Prague will no longer pursue the previously considered construction of a cycling velodrome.

"The current complex in Troja no longer meets the parameters for hosting not only European but also global competitions," said Klecanda. He added that Brno was also interested in building the slalom course, but ultimately, in agreement with NSA, Prague decided that it would be constructed in Troja, and in exchange, the capital city would not pursue the construction of the velodrome for track cycling, which had previously been considered. It will be built in Brno, the councilor added.

The construction will be divided into two parts according to the document approved today. The first part will consist of the construction of the course, and the second will involve the creation of a leisure zone for the public around it. According to Klecanda, the city has a preliminary promise of funding from the NSA for the construction of the course. "There is no schedule yet, because we can never say when construction will be permitted," he added. Ideally, according to him, the city should apply for funding from the sports agency in 2026 and then start the construction.

According to earlier information, the new course for whitewater slalom is expected to be approximately 270 meters long and 12 meters wide, with a capacity of 1,500 spectators. The canal will be primarily intended for training athletes in whitewater slalom and rafting, or for whitewater rodeo. However, it will also be able to host the World Championships or World Cup races, and rescue teams will train there. The bay at the lower reaches of the canal will, according to previous information, serve for recreational kayaking and fishing.