“They want 8 million euros! I'm sorry, I don't have it!” » The dispute blocking the new multipurpose hall in Bucharest
The interest for a new multipurpose hall in the Capital is old, and Bucharest ended up having four mayors and dozens of unfulfilled promises. Sorin Oprescu, Gabriela Firea, Nicușor Dan and now, Ciprian Ciucu, all spoke in the election campaign about a new hall in the city. What does the current mayor of Bucharest say?
At the National Arena, a debate was held today regarding the efficiency of the stadium's costs, moderated by the mayor general Ciprian Ciucu. During the discussions, the mayor also addressed the topic of building a future multipurpose hall in Bucharest, underlining the main obstacles that prevent, for now, the start of the project.
Ciprian Ciucu: “We don't have land for a multipurpose hall!”
The mayor explained that although there is a clear intention to develop such an infrastructure, the lack of suitable land remains the main problem: “There are plans for the multipurpose hall, but there is no land. The biggest problem we have at the moment is identifying a suitable land for such a thing. I've been discussing, I've been evaluating… I'm still waiting for options, if there are proposals“.
He emphasized that the need for a multi-purpose hall is obvious for the Capital, but its location raises major difficulties, especially in already congested areas: “Obviously, Bucharest must have a multi-purpose hall at some point. The biggest problem is that we don't have land to claim. Or they are in very congested areas, and the community tells us that we are driving them crazy, that the stadium is enough.”
Backup version: “On the edge of Bucharest”
In this context, one of the options analyzed would be the construction of a multipurpose hall on the outskirts of the city: “Let's see if it's feasible somewhere on the outskirts of Bucharest to maybe have a polyvalent. We're looking for the land.”
The mayor also highlighted the significant impact such an investment could have on local communities, especially if it were located near the National Arena: “The chief architect explained to me and we looked very clearly on the maps that two infrastructures: the stadium and the hall for the community, for the neighborhood would have quite an impact on their lives. And not in a positive way.”
“They want 8 million euros for a simulator…”
Another impediment is the Skydiving Tower in the stadium area, which the City Hall has not been able to take possession of since the summer of 2019 so that it can be demolished. The mayor mentioned the situation of Aeroclub Romania, which would request significant compensation.
On the right, the Tower of the Parachutists blocking the construction of the new Multipurpose Hall
“That wonderful tower of paratroopers, those who have it, Aeroclub Romania wants 8 million euros as compensation to build a simulator. Thank you, I understand, but I don't have 8 million euros to give extra for the multipurpose hall. This is the truth! I know it's not functional, but they want 8 million euros, I'm sorry, I don't have it!”Ciucu pointed out.
In the absence of an immediate solution for the gym, the local administration is analyzing alternatives for the development of the sports infrastructure. In this sense, the mayor announced the collaboration with Rareș Hopincă, the mayor of Sector 2: “I have already spoken with Mr. Hopincă. He came to me and we will develop a sports park in that area. Not multipurpose, but a sports park. We are going in this direction.”
The current multipurpose hall in Bucharest is 50 years old!
On August 10, 1974, the “Palace of Sports and Culture from Bucharest” was inaugurated. What did the press of the time write?
“The normal duration of such a construction is 30 months, but it has been reduced to 8 months! Working in day and night shifts, original technical-organizational solutions in design and execution, the mobilizing and organizing role of the municipal party committee, which also materialized through thousands of hours of patriotic work provided by the youth of Bucharest“, noted the journalists from “Sportul”.
During the peak days of building the hall, there were more than 2,500 workers on the site, the press of the time noted. The current hall has been renovated twice, in 2008 and 2011.
