Choosing the Location

In our case, it seems that the leading project is the one which wishes to situate the stadium almost in the city centre. There are several reasons to support this projects, such as those concerning the buy-out, inadequate infrastructure or the assertion that a stadium, which, apart from international football matches, could be used for potential cultural events would not be attractive enough for visitors, if it is placed on the outskirts.

Insignificant words changed into more concrete preparation five years ago. This can be documented by the following press release:

Amongst others, the press release also states the following: „The matter of the construction of the National Football Stadium has been discussed for a number of years. Lately it seems that it has taken on a more concrete shape. The Czech-Moravian Football Federation (ČMFS) has addressed the City with a demand to borrow lands in the area of Strahov Stadium for the youth football centre of AC Sparta – Strahov and it mentions further possibilities how to make use of the stands in the big stadium. The location of the proposed project offers the opportunity of multiple use: the National Football Stadium, athletic stadium, shopping and amusement centre, but also hotels, offices and other commercial use. The project of the National Football Stadium, which would be the result of a reconstruction of the present Rosicky Stadium with accompanying sports and commercial areas is in compliance with the city plan.“

The supporters of this variant further argued, that the location of the Strahov Stadium is favourable in a sense of good accessibility from both the airport and the city centre and also in a sense of good infrastructure from several directions. We will not comment on this conviction. After all, supporters of Slavia Prague, which has been in asylum of the Rosicky Stadium in Strahov, could have something to say about this topic.

However, when it came to the urbanistic and land analysis it quickly became clear that the viability of this project is very low. These findings have also had an impact on the chances of Strahov becoming the Olympic sportsground in case Prague hosted Summer Olympic Games.

Chance for Stodulky

During the year 2005, the variant in Prague 13, Stodulky was widely discussed.

It wasn’t such a bad idea. The stadium would be in a densely inhabited area, far enough from the city centre which is overloaded with traffic but not too far from a number of important motorway exits.

However, after an examination of property relations and expenses needed for the technical infrastructure this option was rejected. There was one interesting argument against, which was not discussed in connection with Strahov. It was argued that at least two of Prague’s first league teams should make use of the stadium. This would mean „a rupture in continuity and tradition of the football clubs locations,“ which was assessed to be to excessively high.

CKD grounds

After the rejection of the variant in Stodulky, Prague 9’s town hall took its chance. It offered the grounds of the former CKD. It was in 2006 and the town hall had a good plan. It argued that there are already two grounds surrounded by a net, which are easily accessible by both public transport and cars. Further more, the location is in the zone of Kbely airport. No residential houses can be built in the area so the increased noise of the football stadium wouldn’t disturb anybody.

It is difficult to say how serious this project was. It disappeared as quickly as it had turned up.

The major problem could have been that it started to be discussed at the time of forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Paroubek’s bet on Letna

The election campaign 2006 was tough. Every point counted. Jiří Paroubek, the Prime Minister and the head of Social Democrats of that time tried to gain one extra point.

Agency report from 17th May 2006:

The project in Letna is treated in a separate article. The above mentioned report has been used in order to illustrate the fact how important football is even in political life!

Olympic Games and the National Football Stadium

Another aspect of the most favourable location for the National Football Stadium in Prague was aroused when the City officially applied for the organization of Summer Olympic Games.

Olympic Games take place in many sports grounds and the most significant of all of them is the main or ceremony stadium. A definite decision on where the stadium will be built in case Prague is selected as the host city has not been taken. However, if it happens, the most likely location is Letnany. This alternative wants to make use and develop Prague’s exhibition area. The model of the Olympic stadium as well as other related buildings including their future use, is presented in a study, which will be one of the basic documents for the final decision on the location that could become the heart of Prague’s Olympic Games.

The considered ceremony stadium is accessible from the underground by a pedestrian walk which is long enough to disperse the estimated number of visitors after the end of the programme. If necessary, the stadium could also be accessible by a passage through the exhibition grounds. All it would take is a minor adjustment of the exhibition area. Underground parking is planned under the stadium.

Since the fate of the stadium after the end of the Olympic Games is problematic, judging from experience from other countries, there has been a suggestion that the stadium could be transformed into the National Football Stadium. The athletics tracks would be covered by pushing out a sufficient number of rows with seats, which would enable a popular concept of immediate contact between the spectators and the players, either by recessing the football pitch or by means of withdrawable stands. The stands would thus start high enough above the oval.

This seems to be a very sensible variant, however, there is one drawback which is the time horizon. Prague could become the host city not earlier than in 2016, the year 2020 appears to be a more realistic date, which is a long time.

František Sládek