The construction of new multifunctional halls cannot be done without subsidies

Olomouc – The construction of the multipurpose sports hall in Prostějov could not do without state and local government subsidies, and the upcoming project for a multifunctional hall in Olomouc, which is intended to replace the dilapidated building of the ice rink, will be similar. Additionally, Prostějov and the Olomouc region must together financially contribute nearly two million crowns annually to the operation of the Prostějov National Sports Center, which was officially opened last September.

The construction of the sports center in Prostějov required 143.3 million crowns, of which 110 million was a subsidy from the Ministry of Education. Previous regional subsidies covered 13.4 million crowns, and the remaining nearly 20 million crowns came from the association's own sources, which included a loan from the Tennis Club Prostějov. The loan was paid off by Prostějov, the regional government, and the Tennis Club Prostějov. The Prostějov City Hall had previously contributed land to the joint project of the sports hall.

Young volleyball players, basketball players, and tennis players train in the sports hall, and it also serves the students of Prostějov schools. According to Governor Ladislav Okleštěk (ANO), the association that operates the center will receive a total of five million crowns from the state for sports activities, while the annual operating costs of the center will amount to 7.5 million crowns.

The regional council therefore agreed that Olomouc Region will send 1.3 million crowns annually for the operation of the facility. The Prostějov City Hall and the Tennis Club Prostějov will each contribute 600,000 crowns. According to Okleštěk, the amount of the contribution depends on the usage of the hall. Approximately half of the operating hours will be allocated to schools established by the region. The remaining available hours will be shared by the Tennis Club Prostějov and organizations established by the city of Prostějov.

The new multifunctional hall, which will replace the old ice rink near the center of Olomouc, is estimated to cost around one billion crowns. The ice rink in Olomouc was opened in 1948 and is outdated. Ice hockey fans call the worn-down rink "plecharéna." Therefore, the city decided to construct a new multipurpose hall, which is planned to be developed in phases.

A significant part of the construction costs is expected to be covered by subsidies. However, according to Mayor Mirek Žbánek (ANO), the city does not yet know the conditions of the prepared subsidy titles, and cooperation between the state, region, and city needs to be established. "I have discussions ahead with the newly established agency for sports, which should take on the role of providing subsidies for this sports infrastructure in the future," Žbánek told ČTK.

In Olomouc, the multifunctional hall could be used for other sports in addition to ice hockey. The city wants to discuss the use of the hall with the management of Palacký University. Concerts and social events could also be held there.