ABOUT THE PROJECT
The construction of a modern facility for the year-round operation of the most widespread and popular winter sports disciplines and cycling is the largest investment in sports infrastructure in the capital city of Prague in the last 80 years. At a total cost of almost CZK 5 billion, coming exclusively from private investors, a unique and universally accessible centre will be built on the outskirts of Prague, in the vicinity of the Závodiště in Velká Chuchle, enabling a wide range of popular sports to be practised even in adverse weather conditions
SPORT AREAL LAHOVICE...
gives the metropolis a unique environment and opportunities for year-round sports activities- makes use of the existing transport infrastructure and increases the necessary capacity of the city's P+R car parks
- reclaims long-neglected areas in a sensitive and respectful manner
- uses state-of-the-art technologies for synergy with the landscape
- complies with the strictest environmental regulations and sustainable water, heat and energy management
- is not publicly funded
Recreational and professional athletes of all ages and levels will have these facilities available in SPORT AREA LAHOVICE all year round:
An indoor hall with a 480 m long snow-covered slope with an average slope of 21 %, an elevation of 120 m and a width of 60 m for alpine skiing and snowboarding- 1.8 km long indoor cross-country skiing circuit
- Closed circuit for road cycling with a length of 5.2 km and cyclocross with a length of 4.2 km, closed circuit for BMX
- In-line speed circuit adjacent to the 5.2km cycling circuit
- Two winter ice rinks for skating, hockey and figure skating
- Indoor hall with tennis, squash and badminton courts
- Swimming pool with wellness area
- Extensive full-service facilities
ENVIRONMENT
The location of the centre with respect to the existing surroundings on the land designated for leisure activities according to the Prague City Development Plan will lead to the revival and reclamation of long neglected areas. When designing the centre, the use of current state-of-the-art technologies to ensure environmental protection and sustainable management of water, heat and energy was already taken into account.
For example, only rainwater will be used for snowmaking in the ski hall. Moreover, the construction of the complex is designed to be related to the identical construction of the neighbouring Radotín bridge and other large-scale buildings such as the Lahovice intersection or the racing stand at the Velká Chuchle racecourse.
BEFORE
AFTER
Landscape location
- The building has been adjusted to the final length of the downhill track of 470 metres and thus does not protrude above the view horizon (it has been sunk into the slope).
- The development is set in a landscape with comparable volumes of leisure and transport infrastructure.
- Located building masses in the immediate vicinity of the SAL sports facility proposal.
Modern TECHNOLOGIES
- The downhill track tube and the surface material allow the mass to blend in with its surroundings. For this purpose, a new modern technology is used to parameterize the facade to a specific location in the landscape. The technology has been proven to reduce the volume of the building envelope by more than 20%.
- Three basic façade systems are proposed for the cladding of the downhill track tube:
- The Green façade, which is based on a system of wire baskets creating continuous horizontal cuts through the body of the downhill track, where the wire basket is filled with substrate and planted with native plants forming a systematic protective layer (another role of the green façade is to cool the façade cladding).
- The slatted façade, which forms a shading and protective layer for the transparent surfaces, is made of larch slats and maintains the geometry of the horizontals at different grid densities. Working with the gradient of the grid differentiates and semiologically defines different spaces and situations of architecture. The larch slats will thus age naturally and become part of the overall context of the building.
- The solar façade, which is made up of a waterproofing foil with a layer of photovoltaic cells, guarantees waterproofing and energy reception. The system is based on a combination of TPO film and photovoltaic modules, which integrates the solar system into the film and does not disturb the architecture of the building with other components and maintains its coherence.
Sport oganisations SUPPORT
SPORT AREAL LAHOVICE was consulted with top sports organizations, the Czech Olympic Committee, the Czech Union of Sports, the Czech Cycling Association, the Czech Ski Association and others. The project has been supported by prominent sports personalities who contribute their experience to the authors of the project.
The prestigious construction companies Strabag a.s. and technology suppliers (Instalace Praha s.r.o. and TechnoAlpin) are involved in the preparation of the construction. From the economic point of view, the project is being prepared with the expert group NEWTON Business Development. We thank all landowners for their support and provision of assets.
Questions & ANSWERS
How will the Lahovice Sports Complex contribute to the improvement of sport in Prague?
It will significantly enrich the sports infrastructure and contribute to its modernisation. It will create sports facilities that are not common in the indoor environment and for which the location near the metropolis with a high concentration of inhabitants is an ideal place. A variety of sports facilities (and for the first time also winter sports) will create ideal conditions to bring children, young people and adults into sport.
What impact will the complex have on the landscape and the environment?
The project will rehabilitate an area of 70 hectares. It is currently not used in any way, and according to the Principles of Spatial Development of the Capital City of Prague. It is designated for leisure activities. At the same time, a large amount of ballast will be removed, which creates a high ecological risk, especially during floods. Sports grounds within easy reach of urban transport ensure a significant reduction in emissions from car traffic, which are generated when moving to mountain resorts. The waste heat produced from the cooling system will be used to heat other sports areas. The plan has been consulted since 2017 with the developers of the urban analysis of the Suburban Park Soutok on whose proposed activities it builds and is the only one that does not propose unfeasible plans due to landowners.
How else will it help Prague?
The unique modern sports complex puts Prague in the hands of a tool that will help the metropolis set the world trend in sports facilities. Prague will also gain a new environment for hosting top international events. According to Prague's Strategic Plan, our city is stagnating and under-responding to the economic, demographic and technological challenges of the 21st century - this project will convince everyone that Prague is a modern, vibrant city whose projects can be a model for others.
Why Lahovice?
The transport and technical infrastructure is in place to implement the project. There is no other similar comprehensive area in the metropolis that offers such comprehensive sports opportunities. Moreover, it is within driving distance - public transport from Smichov takes 15 minutes to Lahovice. According to the Zoning Plan of the Capital City of Prague. Prague's recreational and sports areas are particularly suitable in areas with links to existing or newly established water areas, or where they can help relieve congested natural parks. The SAL sports complex has been included in the plans for the Suburban Park Soutok since 2017 and has been assessed by the preparers to be appropriately linked to the new recreation and leisure areas, making the plans interconnected.
Documentation HERE
Won't the resort become a luxury resort for the top 10,000?
There is a long-standing shortage of public sports facilities in Prague, and its advantageous location makes it suitable for all-day use by the public (Prague and the Central Bohemian Region have a population of around 3 million, the most active part of the Czech Republic). And in cooperation with the municipality, we want to offer schools the possibility of organizing free courses. The modern complex will serve sports associations and create conditions for top athletes to compete internationally.
Won't this complicate transport?
On the contrary. The project includes a P+R car park with a capacity of 1,470 spaces and a connection to the integrated transport in the direction of Prague - Smíchovské nádraží. The location of the car park will contribute to a significant relief of the traffic load on Strakonická Street and at the same time to efficient all-day use. The site will be connected from the Prague ring road via the Lahovický Bridge, thus avoiding the traffic load on Strakonická Street towards the centre. According to the wishes of Prague 16, the site will be connected to the new access road between Výpadová and Radotínská streets. The entire artificial ski slope arches over Radotínská Street and the railway line like a bridge, thus not disturbing the protection zone.
Won't there be problems in case of floods?
The main part of the SAL is located in the flood zone of category B, which is an impassable area. Only bike and inline loops are proposed in the flow-through area. The project provides for the most stringent flood protection measures. In addition, the reclamation of the areas will result in long-term stabilisation, which will in turn relieve the adjacent area in the event of flooding.
What about the impact on nature?
The bridge structure of the downhill track tube is designed to allow the migration of organisms between the biocentres. For the location of the construction of the downhill track, an impact assessment on the trans-regional biocorridor N3/5 has been prepared, where the implementation of the construction will not disturb the functionality of the biocorridor. The construction interferes with the local biocentre L1/224, but does not interfere with its functionality. No significant impacts are expected in the area of application of EU environmental law, the change of the Master Plan does not represent a significant risk factor in terms of accidents or non-standard conditions for the environment and public health in the area concerned. The assessed change to the development plan cannot have a significant impact, either alone or in conjunction with other concepts or plans, on sites of European importance and bird areas. (see Department of Environmental Protection, MHMP)
What about the surrounding forest?
There is a high voltage power line where the SAL will stand and there are only overgrowth trees. The basic intention was to locate the building in a place where there are no trees and there will be no deforestation of the forest; on the contrary, the location of the building is in the place of an inappropriately designed high-voltage line and its protection zone, which occurred in the 1970s. The newly proposed construction on the structure will result in the clearance of the ecological stability system. The intent of the site is technically resolved with the owner of the system ČEZ Distribuce, a.s. and for the implementation of the construction it was proposed to relocate the route to the building in the form of a collector in the structure, thus disappearing the ugly high voltage poles in the landscape.
Well, what about the power lines?
It'll be "hidden" in the tube. The solution was designed in cooperation with the owner of the system ČEZ Distribuce, a.s. and for the implementation of the construction it was proposed to relocate the line into the building and then through a separate collector in the construction, where access for possible repairs will be provided.
How much will all this cost? And who will pay for it?
The total investment costs are around CZK 4.76 billion. The investment in the project will be recovered in the range of 16-20 years (5-6% yield), which is usual for similar investment projects. The commonly demanded yield of premium real estate on the Prague market is 4-5%. The efficiency of the complex is guaranteed by its location, which is also designated by the capital city for leisure activities. An economic model has been created for the project, which is based on the already operating halls in Europe (in the Netherlands, Germany and Lithuania). Moreover, the SAL is complemented by multifunctional indoor and outdoor sports facilities that will guarantee higher attendance and interest in commercial services. All this ensures the self-sufficiency and sustainability of the whole complex. The project is being prepared with a Dutch investment group with experience in this field and in cooperation with two development groups operating on the Czech market (note: the project is in the pre-project preparation phase and is subject to confidentiality agreements).
And how much will it cost Prague?
Nothing. The project is fully funded from private sources. Which means, among other things, that there will be no unnecessary downtime in the implementation of the project.
Will ordinary people be able to afford it?
The area will be open all year round, with school and club groups using it in the mornings. There will be a system of group and timed tickets at a variety of price levels - designed to make the site truly accessible to everyone. Amateurs and athletes will be able to use the sports facilities as training areas.
How are environmental issues addressed?
The SAL uses waste heat for heating for other facilities as well as for electricity and cooling. An indirect evaporative cooling system is designed for the downhill track and ice areas. The building complies with the most stringent environmental requirements.
Will the building not disturb the landscape?
The construction is designed to be related to the identical construction of the neighbouring Radotín Bridge and other large structures, such as the Lahovice intersection or the Chuchel racecourse grandstand. In order to blend the mass into the surroundings, a new technology of facade parametrization is used, which adapts its shape and colour to the landscape.
Will it also be built on agricultural land?
No. According to the zoning plan since 1999, they are not intended for agricultural activities, but as areas for sports and recreation. On the other hand, the unused and neglected area of 70 hectares will be reclaimed, where part of the area needs to be revitalised because it is burdened by the landfill during the implementation of the Lahovice tunnel and is a threat to the centre of Prague in the event of a flood.
Where will the site get its water from?
ONLY rainwater will be used for snowmaking, which will be accumulated in the created retention tank and which will completely cover the needs of the ski-hall operation. The hall will not use any other external sources.
Are sports organisations involved in the implementation?
The project is being developed in cooperation with many sports organisations. Among them are, for example, the Czech Olympic Committee, the Czech Cycling Federation, the Czech Ski Association and other associations.
Who else is working on the project?
The construction company Strabag a.s. is involved in the preparation of the project, the technological part is solved with the companies Instalace Praha s.r.o. and TechnoAlpin, suppliers of the heating, cooling and snowmaking system. The economic side of the project is being prepared with the expert group NEWTON Business Development.
And now what next?
The project was launched in 2017 with a concept for the use of areas for recreation, leisure and sport. The concept was included by the Institute for Planning and Development of the City of Prague in the concept of land use of the project and found suitable by the preparer. The initiative to amend the zoning plan was approved by the Municipal Council of the P16 Radotín district. At the same time, the Municipality of Prague - Velká Chuchle referred the initiative for further consideration. The initiative was approved by the Department of Spatial Development as feasible and at the same time the Department of Environmental Protection of the City of Prague assessed the change of the Master Plan does not affect any European Important Site or bird area within the territorial jurisdiction of the OCP MHMP. The project was assessed negatively by the Institute for Planning and Development of the City of Prague. The initiative for the change of the zoning plan No. 622/2019 was approved by the Committee for Territorial Development, Spatial Planning and Heritage Protection of the City of Prague on 9 February 2021. The initiative is now awaiting approval by the City Council and the City Council. After the eventual completion of the process of amending the master plan at the end of 2022, it is possible to deal with all the conditions and start design work with respect for the site.
