People want a sports facility in Zlín instead of the demolished building

Zlín - People want sports facilities and space for leisure activities at the site of the unfinished building that has stood in the Zlín housing estate of Jižní Svahy since the late 1980s. This was expressed by residents in a survey conducted by the city, said Zdeněk Dvořák, spokesperson for the Zlín city hall today. The remnants of the planned shopping center began to be demolished this year; according to the city hall, it is the largest development area that Zlín currently has available. The land covers almost 40,000 square meters.

In the August survey, 572 people responded, with 266 of them in favor of creating sports facilities and leisure space. People could vote via the city’s website or through a ballot published in Magazín Zlín. Three options were available, with 90 people voting for the construction of buildings with civic amenities, such as medical offices, services, or a detached office of the city hall.

In the category of various options, 84 people proposed the establishment of a park. "In many cases, voters elaborated on their vision; for example, in the park, they would like to see restaurants, places for grilling, attractions for children, water features, and game rooms," the spokesperson stated. In terms of sports activities, people suggested a new ice rink, a football field with artificial turf, or a skatepark.

"The survey confirmed the parking issue at the largest Zlín housing estate. Several proposed solutions emerged, ranging from traditional parking spaces to above-ground or underground garages," Dvořák said. There were also suggestions for a new senior citizens' home or space for walking dogs. "There were also several quirky suggestions or those that were clearly written out of jest. Examples of this category include requests for the construction of a pig slaughterhouse or a psychiatric hospital," the spokesperson noted.

"Currently, the demolition of the reinforced concrete skeleton of the remnants is still continuing, which will be followed by land adjustments to temporarily extend the existing park. The decision on permanent construction will be made by the future city leadership, to whom we will present the survey results," said Mayor Miroslav Adámek (STAN).

The city hall had previously used surveys, where people expressed their opinions, for example, about the further use of the castle or the city's approach to gambling.