Podkarpackie Centrum Lekkiej Atletyki – design description

The idea of a new regional athletics centre at the Resovia grounds was brought up in 2010, resulting in the first concept being drawn in 2011. The plan foresees retaining the historical main stand, while replacing very low landfill on other sides with very substantial new auditorium.

Based on reinforced concrete, the new structures will offer vast training facilities beneath the seats. Training running track, indoor sports halls and numerous locker rooms are to be created, ensuring the stadium can also serve its purpose during winter. In warm weather the 7-lane main running track will be used, while Resovia's footballers will also enjoy a new, heated field.

Initial plan was to achieve a rather impressive (and unwaranted on a regular basis) capacity of 16,000 seats. Update from 2020 brought significant changes. On the one hand it includes a roof over majority of the seats, on the other – the capacity has been scaled down to 9,500.

Initial hopes were that a private investor would cover the cost of the entire project, in exchange for a permit for skyscrapers and a shopping centre. However, that plan fell through. Eventually, a three-side public investment was agreed, shared by the city, region and ministry of sports.

At the end of December 2022, on the occasion of the tender for the design and construction of the stadium, another concept, slightly different from the previous ones, was presented. According to the new plans, the capacity of the venue will be less than 8,000 spectators. Further renderings, prepared by K+ARCHITEKCI, appeared in 2023.Otras visualizaciones, preparadas por K+ARCHITEKCI, aparecieron en 2023.

Under the new vision, the main stand is to be more integrated with the rest of the stands, which will be of equal height and will be completely covered. One of the arches, facing Wyspiańskiego Street, will be replaced by an auditorium that can be used, for example, for cultural events. The plan calls for the demolition of the existing facility.

The deal with the contractor, Mirbud, was signed on April 24, 2024. Work is to begin in the summer of 2024 with the demolition of the old stadium. The new facility should be ready by October 31, 2026. The cost of the investment is PLN 194 million, of which 104 million is to come from the city budget, 60 million from the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, and 30 million from the voivodeship.