OSTRAVA IS PREPARING ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION FOR THE NEW BAZALY FOOTBALL STADIUM

The primary reason for this initiative is the inadequate facilities at the current athletic stadium, as well as the necessity for the city to possess modern sports infrastructure. The city demands that the stadium, meeting all contemporary standards, should offer a capacity for 19,500 to 20,000 seated spectators. The conditions and the schedule for the architectural competition are currently being developed intensively. The new stadium will also serve as a new landmark for the city, with the integration of the construction into the existing urban space being crucial, particularly in relation to the nearby New Town Hall, while also emphasizing the historical significance of the site and the football club. "The overall quality of the architectural solution is of utmost importance to us. Our objective is to create a football stadium that meets all current environmental requirements and incorporates the latest knowledge and technologies in sustainability. Operational solutions and facilities must allow everyone, regardless of age or disability, to experience football; we are considering a designated children's sector and spaces adapted for visitors with disabilities. However, we are also mindful of activities beyond football matches; the new stadium is expected to provide leisure activities, such as a football club museum, diverse services, restaurants, fan shops, and guided tours,"  stated Ostrava's mayor, Jan Dohnal.

The new construction aims to bring fans closer to the game and provide the best possible spectator experience. It is also intended to become another architectural landmark within the city, easily accessible by public transport. The symbolic return of FC Baník to the site where it has played since 1959, linked to its greatest club successes, is of great importance. Thus, the stadium will also include a "Baník" museum, small shops (including a fan shop), as well as various dining establishments.

The competition conditions will undergo evaluation by the Czech Chamber of Architects, after which the city council will discuss the announcement of the competition. If a winning architectural proposal is selected, this will be followed by a contract for the project's documentation.

The decision regarding the contractor will be made by a jury composed of representatives from the authority of Ostrava, the Slezská Ostrava district, the FC Baník Ostrava football club, Vítkovice Arena, and independent experts from the field of architecture.

"In addition to the previously mentioned comprehensive architectural solution and its integration into the designated area, we will focus on the technical feasibility, as well as the cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and financial viability of the operational solution. The aim is to create architecturally beneficial construction that offers excellence in multiple areas, becoming a unique sports venue, exceptional within the country, providing adequate facilities for the local football club, a pleasant environment for visiting athletes, and supporters of football—all built at the traditional club's location. The club has been based in Bazaly for 56 years since 1959," added Lukáš Semerák, head of the expert working group for coordinating the preparation of the brief for the construction of the new stadium.

The estimated costs for the realization of the project are currently defined at 2.5 billion CZK.

In February of this year, the city commissioned a feasibility study for increasing the capacity of the football stadium at Bazaly. In June, the authors of the study confirmed that the conversion of the current training center into a new football stadium is feasible. However, the city has stated that the final shape of the stadium, along with its technical and functional specifications, will emerge from the architectural competition.

Ostrava has long supported the development of urban sports infrastructure; the Sports Complex in Ostrava-Poruba has been renovated, a new sports hall has been built in Ostrava-Třebovice, the second phase of the winter stadium in Ostrava-Poruba is nearing completion, a comprehensive reconstruction of the so-called Water World (Čapkárna) and the renewal of the sports hall in Ostrava-Pustkovec are currently underway, among many other projects.