Bowling alley in Prague 2: Building demolition, petition for preservation
On the last day of June, the holidays started, the children received their report cards, the employees booked their vacations en masse, and a part of the activists started a petition for the Skiing Bowl. According to Jiří Fiedler from the Za Kuželna initiative, the building is important for the surrounding area, Prague 2 and the entire metropolis. This is a unique place with almost a hundred years of bowling tradition. Moreover, it is about the second oldest functioning bowling alley in the territory of Prague.
“The Za Kuželna initiative was created on the ground plan of the Za Folimanka initiative and the reason was information about the stem of the bowling tradition and plans for the demolition of the Kuželna,” Jiří Fiedler tells Bleska. An ordinary pub with no added value is said to be built on the site of the current sports ground, which is now growing like mushrooms after the rain in the locality. “We are in contact with the leadership of the town hall and the opposition, also because members of the council and various commissions are part of the initiative,” he adds.
Two birds with one stone
Ideally, according to the initiatives of the builders, the building owned by the Prague 2 Municipal Council should undergo reconstruction. However, its condition is said to be not an emergency and therefore, according to Fiedler, even demolition does not make sense. “The building will fulfill the function of a summer restaurant after reconstruction without difficulty, and the added value in the form of bowling is irreplaceable,” I think George. According to him, the park deserves sensitive revitalization, but the bowling alley can also be a part of it.
In addition, the indoor sports field has a rich social life. Currently, three teams of the lower bowling competition play on the lanes. In addition, the creation of a team of small bowlers is planned. There is also a musical performance. Concerts are held here once every 14 days, the closest one is on 7/15. “And in general, classmates, neighbors and people from nearby universities meet in Kuželno,” says Jiří.
Saving the bowling alley
To provide an initiative to oppose the demolition of a community bowling alley, she launched petition. Papírová is primarily intended for residents of Prague 2, only with their signatures does it have weight at the town hall. The electronic petition can be signed by anyone who wants to give room for restoration and not demolition. According to press spokesman Adam Kočina, the City Hall of Prague 2 is not aware of any petition. Proceed according to the plan.
“The building of the bowling alley in Horská Street was already issued a valid demolition estimate by the building authority a few years ago, approved by preservationists,” reports Adam Kočina. At the end of 2020, a public architectural competition was announced in cooperation with the Czech Chamber of Architects for the future form of the entire area between Horská street and the New Town fortifications. The winner was the design by architects Miroslav Cikán and Pavla Melková from the MCA studio, which also included a preliminary statement from the preservationists.
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The bowling alley in Horská Street in Karlovy Vary has a rich sporting and social life. However, it is in danger of being demolished.
Author: Za Kuželna: Jiří Fiedler, Tomáš Čada