Ostrava Opens One of the Most Modern Shooting Ranges in the Czech Republic

The new shooting range, whose investor and operator is the municipal company VÍTKOVICE ARÉNA, was built on the site of a former inadequate facility. It comprises three separate indoor shooting ranges for rifles, pistols and small-bore firearms at distances of up to 50 metres, as well as air guns at distances of up to 10 metres. The complex will fully open its doors to sports clubs and the general public during September.

“Ostrava is reaffirming its role as a sports metropolis. Our goal is not only to provide major stadiums, but also diverse, high-quality facilities for all sports disciplines. Sport shooting has a long tradition in Ostrava, but until now our national team members and talented young athletes have lacked a modern training centre meeting 21st-century standards. With this project, we are putting Ostrava back on the map of top-level shooting sports while giving a new purpose to an area that had been deteriorating for years,” said Ostrava Mayor Jan Dohnal.

The complex was designed by ADEA projekt under the direction of architect Aleš Vojtasík. The construction presented both technical and environmental challenges, as the site is located close to a protected water-source zone.

“Our aim was to significantly improve the site while integrating it sensitively into the surrounding landscape. We wanted the shooting range to be more than just a functional sports facility – we wanted it to be a pleasant place for athletes and their companions as well. I believe Ostrava has gained another building that contributes to restoring its confidence and identity as a modern city,” said project architect Aleš Vojtasík.

Deputy Mayor Aleš Boháč highlighted the building's high environmental standards: “The buildings feature green roofs covering a total area of more than 1,600 square metres, the façades will be covered with climbing ivy, 37 new trees and dozens of climbing plants have been planted throughout the complex. These measures help manage rainwater and reduce the urban heat-island effect in the area. The standards for green roofs and vertical greenery applied to the construction of the shooting range will also be incorporated into similar projects undertaken by the city in the future.”

Deputy Mayor Břetislav Riger pointed to the architectural quality of the complex and its contribution to the transformation of Ostrava: “This state-of-the-art shooting range is important not only in its own right. Its great added value for the city lies in the fact that it forms part of a wider mosaic of projects contributing to Ostrava's new identity. Other examples include the new concert hall, creatively designed multi-storey car parks and attractive residential developments,” he said.

A major advantage of the new shooting range complex is that most of it is built underground. The above-ground section will be used exclusively for shooting with air guns and gas-powered firearms. Unlike outdoor shooting ranges, the facility will therefore cause no noise disturbance to its surroundings.

“We are very pleased that we have managed to complete this specific project fully in accordance with the original schedule. During construction, we were also able to respond flexibly to a number of detailed requirements from the investor in order to achieve the highest possible standards of functionality, practicality, safety, comfort and usability throughout the complex,” said JTA Managing Director Alan Jančík.

STŘELNICE OSTRAVA!!! will primarily serve as a base for the Regional Youth Shooting Centre. There are currently 30 shooting clubs operating in the Moravian-Silesian Region, with more than 600 registered shooters.

“From the perspective of the Czech Shooting Federation, we are delighted that Ostrava now has such an exceptional facility. The range's capacity and modern equipment will enable both top-level training and the organisation of national and international competitions at the highest level,” said Roman Blažíček, President of the Czech Shooting Federation.

The fully accessible complex has already attracted interest from the Czech national para-shooting team.

The shooting range will also be open to the general public. It will be available to holders of firearms licences, people interested in obtaining one, as well as visitors who simply want to try shooting in a safe environment under professional supervision.

“We are very pleased that, working together with the project designers, representatives of the shooting sports community and the construction company, we have managed to adapt the final design of the complex so that it consists of several separate shooting ranges which can also be partially interconnected when necessary. This has significantly increased the flexibility of the entire space and expanded the possibilities for its full sporting and commercial use,” said Petr Handl, Executive Director of VÍTKOVICE ARÉNA.

The commercial section of the shooting range will be operated by experienced competitive shooter and entrepreneur Robin Šebo. He has long ranked among the very best dynamic shooters under IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) rules, both in the Czech Republic and internationally. In addition to winning 15 Czech national championship titles in various disciplines, he is a two-time European, African, Australasian and Latin American champion. He also won the Extreme Euro Open, one of the most prestigious international IPSC competitions, in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

“IPSC is a dynamic shooting sport combining speed, accuracy and tactics. Competitors complete individual shooting situations, known as stages, moving between positions, following a specific target sequence and aiming to achieve the best possible result in the shortest time. Every mistake or delay affects the final score. It is therefore great that the new Ostrava shooting range offers facilities not only for conventional static shooting but also for dynamic shooting. In addition to regular training, it will provide space for competitions, sporting events, corporate team-building activities and other shooting-related events,” said Robin Šebo, who believes the new facility will help attract new people to shooting sports.

Another well-known figure associated with the Ostrava shooting range is national coach for pistol disciplines Martin Tenk, an Olympic medallist from the Sydney Games and medallist at numerous World Cups. With characteristic lightness and humour, he described shooting sports as follows: “Sport shooting, and pistol disciplines in particular, are actually the only sport in which you can win an Olympic medal with your hand in your pocket.”

Shooting Range Specifications

Underground section – Shooting Range 1A

• up to 15 shooting positions for small-bore shooting at distances of 5–50 m, equipped with SIUS electronic targets
• up to 41 shooting positions for gas-powered firearms up to 5.6 mm calibre at 10 m, equipped with SIUS electronic targets
• suitable for dynamic shooting using mobile targets and bullet traps

Shooting Range 1B

• 6 shooting positions for firearms up to 12.7 mm calibre at distances of 5–50 m
• 6 booths with moving targets and electronic hit displays at distances of 5–25 m
• planned installation of a projection shooting system

Above-ground section – Shooting Range 2

• up to 22 shooting positions for gas-powered firearms up to 5.6 mm calibre at 10 m, equipped with SIUS electronic targets
  Permitted shooting positions: standing, kneeling and prone.

Opening Hours for the Public

Monday–Saturday: 1:00–9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00–7:00 p.m.

For larger groups and organised events, visits outside these opening hours can be arranged by prior agreement.

Key Facts about the Project

Location: Ostrava-Hulváky, Plzeňská 1597/14
Construction started: December 2024
Construction completed: July 2026 (opening to the public from September 2026)
Cost: CZK 153 million
Investor: VÍTKOVICE ARÉNA, a.s.
Contractor: JTA s.r.o.

Facilities:

• 3 separate indoor shooting ranges
• Accessibility: fully accessible, barrier-free access
• Parking: 43 parking spaces + 3 spaces reserved for people with disabilities

Environmental features:

• electric vehicle charging stations
• 1,678 m² of green roofs
• 37 new trees
• 61 climbing plants on a pergola