In the under-construction arena in Jihlava, interested parties can adopt a panel from the cladding

Jihlava - People can adopt one of more than 1000 pieces of red cladding for the under-construction Horácká multifunctional arena in Jihlava for money. The city could thus raise over 5.1 million crowns, which will be used exclusively for this construction. Councilor David Beke (ODS) told reporters today that the main goal of the initiative is not to raise money but to foster people's relationship with the arena and the city. The arena's construction, costing 1.9 billion crowns, will be completed by October, as scheduled.

Interested parties can adopt variously sized perforated aluminum elements that form the outer façade of the arena. They can choose a piece on which they would like to have a label with their name or other text on the website. The label will be made of the same material and in the same color as the background, visible to those who focus on finding it. "It will last there for a lifetime," Beke stated.

The adoption price ranges from 1000 crowns to 80,000 to 100,000 crowns for the largest pieces at the top, of which there are only a few. "Personally, I assume the façade will be quickly taken," the councilor noted. The initiative will end after the arena is completed, and the money will be used solely for this construction.

The city also has a public collection for the arena. So far, around 240,000 crowns have been raised.

The multifunctional arena in Jihlava is set to be completed in October. "We are in the phase of the beginning final sprint, which will end in early October this year. All professions and all deliveries are really already in progress at the construction site," Beke stated. Inside the arena, there is currently a large spatial scaffold due to the installation of components in the roof. In less than two weeks, Tolstého Street near the arena will be closed, and its surface will be reconstructed by workers.

The preparation of the program for the opening of the arena, which will feature both sports and cultural events, is also nearing completion. Apart from the main opening evening, various events will be held for another three months.

The red color of the arena's façade refers to the colors of Jihlava and the Jihlava club Dukla. The triangular crown at the top will be illuminated, and its lighting should also refer to what is happening inside. "We thought it was quite interesting and playful that when a goal is scored, it could blink, and when it's a national holiday, the crown could change into national colors," noted architect Ondřej Chybík from the Chybík+Krištof studio as examples.

The construction of the arena in Jihlava began in the summer of 2023 with the demolition of the old ice rink, on the site of which a new complex is being built. It will not only serve the Dukla hockey club but will also host other sporting competitions and social events. The city is building the arena with the help of subsidies. The region will contribute half a billion crowns and an additional 300 million from the National Sports Agency.