FTVS plans to build a sports complex for nearly one billion crowns

Prague - The Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (FTVS) of Charles University in Prague plans to construct a multifunctional sports complex for nearly a billion crowns. It is to be built next to the current athletic stadium adjacent to the FTVS headquarters in Prague 6. It could start functioning by the end of 2018. It will be intended not only for students but also for clubs or the public.
    The project of constructing and developing sports facilities has been addressed at this faculty for a long time. "The faculty has invested a lot of energy and also considerable financial resources in the development of a concept for sports facilities, including feasibility studies over the past twenty-four years," stated Martin Musálek, the faculty's coordinator for communication and PR, in response to a query from ČTK.
    The current study began to be intensely discussed after the February appointment of the current dean Eva Kohlíková with the support of the rector of UK, Tomáš Zima. The idea reached a stage where Education Minister Marcel Chládek (ČSSD), the mayor of Prague 6 Marie Kousalíková, and the chairman of the Czech Sports Union Miroslav Jansta committed to collaborating on this project in a memorandum. The costs will be covered by funds from the Ministry of Education.
    According to the project plan, preparations, including securing all permits, should take two years, and the actual construction work is planned for another two years. The result should be a complex with a new swimming pool, an ice rink, covered courts, and a hall for ball sports with a capacity of 2000 spectators, meeting the criteria for hosting international competitions. New gyms for gymnastics and combat sports should be created at the site of the existing buildings, and a smaller stand will also be built near the athletic stadium.
    The concept aims to minimize the impact on existing sports facilities. "Basically, the 'K' building, which contains a large gym for FTVS, will be demolished. Unfortunately, it is now in a state of emergency. Furthermore, the outdoor tennis courts will be removed, which will be covered in the new project in a multifunctional hall," Musálek clarified.
    The faculty is located in the building of the former Higher School of Political Science of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, so it lacks adequate sports facilities. Its students are therefore perpetual travelers around Prague. "Currently, we basically have one large gym, which has been extended for demolition. We lack covered courts, do not have an ice rink, and do not have other suitable spaces for providing practical education, a significant portion of which we are therefore forced to address only seasonally. All of this obviously affects the quality of education," added Musálek.