Žamberk will build a new ice rink, construction is likely to start in spring

Žamberk – The town of Žamberk in the Orlickoústecko region plans to begin construction of an ice rink in the spring. A significant portion will be funded by grants. The city lacks a modern sports facility not only for winter sports. This was stated by Mayor Oldřich Jedlička.

"The rink is expected to be used year-round; the construction will also allow for exhibitions, concerts, and cultural and other events," Jedlička stated.

The city intends to complete the bidding process during the winter, with price being the main criterion. The winning company with the offered price will be announced only after the tender has been closed and becomes legally binding. The estimated amount was previously projected at 110 million crowns excluding VAT.

"The price has been exceeded, and the increase corresponds to the current market price developments of construction materials and work. The city council passed a resolution, which includes the allocation of necessary financial resources for financing this contract," the mayor said.

The city will receive 90 million crowns from the National Sports Agency for the construction, and a public collection has also been established in the town, with 450,000 crowns in the account. "We have tentatively agreed with the initiators of the public collection on possible support from the regional budget in 2022 and 2023. However, the region cannot and should not be one of the main partners, but can play rather a symbolic and supportive role in the overall financing," said Governor Martin Netolický (3PK/ČSSD).

The city will build a new stadium measuring 28 by 58 meters with a barrier-free access to the playing field. The grandstand will have 300 seats on the long side of the hall and barrier-free access. There will be two large changing rooms, eight smaller changing rooms, and two changing rooms for referees, a medical room, storages, a clubroom, and a buffet.

"The stadium is designed to be highly energy-efficient with technologies that utilize waste heat from the cooling system, which will be used via a heat pump to meet the thermal needs of the entire facility, particularly for air conditioning, heating, preparing hot utility water, and water for the snow groomer," stated Jedlička. According to him, the supply also includes a snow groomer for ice maintenance, a summer floor, and furnishings for the interiors.

The project has been in preparation by the city for several years. Last year, it was decided to only cover the ice surface, which has been at the Po Černými lesy site since 2010, as building a new facility would be too expensive. However, this July, the town hall received a grant for the new construction. The construction work will take 14 months.