Brno - The official reconstruction of the multipurpose hall Rondo started today at noon with the laying of the foundation stone attended by the mayor of Brno, Roman Onderka. The hall is expected to host the final part of the women's basketball world championship in September 2010. During the construction, the newly promoted extraleague hockey team Kometa Brno will play their upcoming season in the hall. According to a pre-prepared work schedule, the builders' activities will be limited during their matches, while the seating capacity for 7,000 spectators will still be maintained even under challenging conditions. "We are facing an enormously demanding project costing 390 million crowns. The first phase of the hall's reconstruction should be completed by May next year so that preparatory matches and tournaments can be held in the hall before the women's world championship," Onderka stated. The second phase will involve the construction of a parking garage. "However, even after the reconstruction is completed, we will not have peace, as Brno needs another multipurpose hall given its population," the mayor said. The Rondo hall has not undergone such significant modifications since its opening during the bowling world championship in 1982. "The reconstruction of the facilities and spectator area was necessary. The hall will have a height of 9.75 meters, which meets the requirements for all sports except volleyball," said Jan Urbanec, director of the STAREZ company that operates Rondo. Construction work at Rondo began at the end of April after the Fed Cup semi-final between Czech tennis players and the USA. However, only preparatory work was done at that time, as the main contractor for the construction had not yet been selected in a public tender. The contractor became IMOS Brno together with Syner Liberec. "That is why the official start of construction only took place today," Onderka explained. The ceremonial opening was attended by Czech and Brno hockey legend Josef Černý, who is celebrating his seventieth birthday this year, along with his grandson. "I wish hockey Brno a continuation of the successes of our generation. Winning the extraleague was one step, now it will be important to maintain it. I would also like to see us win another championship title," Černý stated.
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