In České Budějovice, a new hockey center has started trial operations

České Budějovice - The new ice rink in České Budějovice today began trial operation. The project of former hockey representative Jaroslav Pouzar is primarily intended for youth. In the hall, which cost approximately 150 million crowns to build, students of the newly established youth club Lvi also trained for the first time today.
     "We only want to focus on youth. Our club will not participate in men's competitions," said the sixty-year-old Pouzar. About forty children born in 2006 and younger gathered for today’s first training session.
     The stadium complex has been built near the housing estate Máj in České Budějovice and occupies an area of approximately 4500 square meters. The hockey center is located on the site of former barracks. The building will include, besides the rink, a restaurant that is not yet finished. "In addition, we are planning a gym and accommodation facilities," said project manager Václav Švec.
     The complete building is expected to be ceremoniously opened on January 23, 2013, exactly one year after Pouzar laid the foundation stone.
The project applied for support from European Union funds last year but was unsuccessful. Therefore, the project management sought alternative funding methods. Pouzar stated that the construction is partially funded from its own resources, as well as from a loan and support from other entities.
     Pouzar, who won three Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers in the late 80s and early 90s, expects that the České Budějovice Lvi will gradually fill teams in all youth categories. "We want to develop players not only for hockey but also for them to grow into decent people," said Pouzar.