PHOTO: Prešov opened a renovated stadium, Ľupták: Before the first match we managed to catch everything – ŠPORT.sk

In agreement with the city, the contractor carried out the work in advance of the contractually agreed October deadline, in order to ensure a smooth start to the highest hockey competition.

SEE THE RENOVATED STADIUM IN PREŠOV >>

“Last year, we successfully completed the largest reconstruction of the winter stadium since its inception in order to create a modern and safe hall in Prešov, which will be the basis for the development of Prešov hockey. Now we are officially opening the stadium to the public and I am glad that the fans will be able to watch the first extra-league match in Prešov after 23 years from completely new seats, “ said the mayor of Prešov Andrea Turčanová before the evening meeting of the new extra-league club in Prešov against Banská Bystrica.

The total competitive price of the seats, including their assembly, is 370,000 euros with VAT. The price is almost 80,000 euros lower than originally expected. The City of Prešov also received a subsidy from the Prešov Self-Governing Region (PSK) for the purchase of seats under the Call for Region in the amount of EUR 175,000.

“First of all, I would like to thank the sports public for their patience. Sometimes he’s nervous in sports and hockey, he’s also nervous about those three years of waiting. But the result is here and we can look at the beautiful renovated winter stadium. I believe that the introductory extra-league match will also be successful for the people of Prešov, “ said the chairman of PSK Milan Majerský.

The new seats are in a dark red shade and are divided into three categories: basic (3,440 pieces), above standard (48 pieces) and VIP (17 pieces). A common element of all seats is the acoustic adjustment from the underside of the seat. The supplier and contractor of the works was the company Pesmenpol spol. s ro Prešov as the winner of the public tender.

This year, the city of Prešov also carried out the installation of other technological elements necessary for the extra league at the stadium. The turnstiles were equipped with new software and hardware with a superstructure for scanning tickets. A new camera system with a video referee was added, part of the stadium premises were maintained for maintenance, and the complete infrastructure with preparation for the construction of cafeterias was also put into operation.

In addition, compressors and other technical equipment in the interior of the building underwent maintenance. The city has gradually set aside support in the total amount of more than one million euros to ensure the conditions for the extra league, the new hockey club and the operation of the stadium.

“I am glad that before the first match we managed to finish everything and without any problems or restrictions we can play the first extra-league match after 23 years,” stated the president of the Prešov club, which was created by transferring the extra-league license from Detva, Róbert Ľupták.

Photo gallery

A view of the home team’s locker room at the renovated Ice Arena in Prešov.

Source: SITA

The first stage of the reconstruction of the winter stadium, built in 1967, was completed by the city at the end of last year. It cost almost 4.9 million euros with VAT. According to the mayor, the second stage of reconstruction is needed, including insulation of the stadium and air conditioning. It should cost an estimated 2.5 to three million euros.

According to her, it is also necessary to ensure the construction of a new training hall. In this regard, the city expects help from the state or the Slovak Ice Hockey Association, as the municipality, according to Turčanová, no longer has additional resources for these investments.

“I am convinced that if we took advantage of an offer from abroad, where the investor wanted to build a new modern stadium for $ 20 million, today we might have a new, modern stadium and avoid the problems we had. But I respected the opinion of the professional public that they want to preserve this unique building. Our stadium will really be exceptional, because such a rope construction is probably the only one where there is an ice surface, because it is not suitable. That is also why I really appeal that we need to get quality air conditioning here as soon as possible, ” added the mayor of the city.

Marc-André Fleury performed a famous procedure during the training: