The Sawmill in Ostravice is Being Given a Second Life (2. strana)
The Sawmill in Ostravice is Being Given a Second Life, This Time as a Center for Culture and Sports
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After the sawmill’s official closure in
2010, the entire complex fell into physical
and moral disrepair and its demolition
was imminent. In order to preserve the
facility, key load bearing structures such
as pillars, trusses and clamps had to be
reconstructed. This essentially meant
that the whole sawmill had to undergo
a renovation.
The area is now part of the Ridera a.s.
group, and it is crucial to highlight that all
activities related to its rescue, restoration
and new use have been financed entirely
from the group’s own resources—without
any subsidies or public support. Although
the pandemic and other obstacles
slowed down the implementation of
the ambitious plans, the brownfield is
now coming back to life. After thirteen
years of continuous work, patience and
investment, WOODARÉNA OSTRAVICE
has been brought to life.
From the very beginning, the project
to revitalise the brownfield has been
driven by the idea of connecting the past
with the future. Alongside honouring
its historical legacy, strong emphasis
is placed on a clear vision for further
development — so that the area can
genuinely serve the people.
An Industrial Spirit and Rugged Lumber:
Sports, Culture and History Under One
Roof
The project was divided into multiple
stages, each focused on a different part
of the complex. The renovation aimed
to preserve as many original features as
possible in order to maintain the industrial
spirit of the sawmill.
Paperwork for the newer of the two
halls was approved in 2024 and it now
serves as an cultural hall. The podium
featured inside is built on top of where
the sawmill’s rendering machine used to
be. The machine’s superstructure was
incorporated as a load bearing feature
around the stage. This is an example
of how the industrial equipment of the
sawmill was adapted and incorporated
into the new space.
This hall is used to host various cultural
events, from race result announcements
to official meetings of, for example, the
municipal council. Modern lighting, social
amenities and private entrance ensure
maximum comfort and independence
when using the hall. The space is designed
so that it can be opened up to an outdoor
area right beside the building, where
a quiet zone with a landscaped lawn will
be created for relaxation and rest. Thanks
to the extensive backbround, including
large capacity marquees and complete
amenities, large outdoor events can be
organized.
The reconstruction of the sawmill’s second
hall is nearing completion. It now features
trusses made from beams that supported
the floor of the original building and many
other wooden features that were upcycled
in the renovation. With a floor plan of
44 x 27 meters and a playing area of
40 x 20 meters, the hall satisfies the criteria
to host even official events in sports such
as ball hockey, in-line skating or many
others. The hall will be multifunctional,
meaning that in addition to hosting sports
events, it can be adapted for different
cultural events such as concerts.
The gallery in the second hall was
transformed into a children‘s play area. It
features a railing made from saw blades
originally used at the sawmill, once again
harkening back to the building’s origins.
A tree was chosen to be the load-bearing
pillar for the gallery as a symbol that
merges the natural materials and industrial
spirit of the project’s concept.
A short skybridge connects the hall’s first
floor to a building with accommodation
meant for athletes and events organisers,
which is also being renovated. The
skybridge also houses changing rooms
and social amenities for athletes, allowing
for comfortable passage between the hall
and accommodation.
The two halls can even be connected,
creating a unique multifunctional space
that can be used for various sports and
cultural events.
A Historical Technological Marvel and
a Unique Atmosphere
In addition to the aforementioned halls, the
complex also features a large basement
that spans the entire area underneath
both of the halls. This is one of the most
interesting parts of the reconstructed
sawmill as it is a large space with an
imposing atmosphere. The basement will
be partially accessible to the public as part
of a sightseeing tour, where visitors will
have the opportunity to see the remnant of
the original shaft that powered the entire
sawmill at the beginning by water, later
by steam. The star of the show, however,
is the fully functional saw manufactured
by the Royal Polish Machine Works. This
well-preserved specimen is one of two
that were created, though the fate of the
second machine is yet unknown.
From an Unsightly Brownfield to
a Multifunctional Hall
The WOODARÉNA OSTRAVICE project
created a new multifunctional complex
in Ostravice that blends history with the
future and gives new life to a structure
that was left in disrepair through years of
neglect. After it had been vacated by its
previous owners, the sawmill, once an
epicenter of the timber industry, eventually
became a brownfield. Today, however,
it is being revitalised into a hub of sports
and culture that will serve to benefit not
only the citizens of Ostravice, but also the
visitors.