Skenderija Centre Management Decides to Suspend All Activities Following Collapse of Part of Edge Structure

(Patria) - The Management of Skenderija Centre has decided to temporarily suspend all sports, economic, and cultural activities in the sports halls due to the newly emerged safety and technical situation caused by the collapse of a part of the semi-prefabricated cassette ceiling on the eastern side of "A" building.

This measure is preventive and has been adopted solely to protect the safety of users, employees, and property, based on the findings of court experts and the Institute for Materials and Construction (IMK) of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo, stated the Skenderija Centre Management.

"The collapse of the parapet occurred due to the loosening of the connection between the parapet and the reinforced concrete beams above the ground floor of the building. According to expert findings, the cause of the incident lies in years of systemic neglect and the lack of fundamental renovation of the roof and facade elements, the maintenance of which has not been adequately addressed for decades," the management emphasized.

They added that the fact that the edge structure (parapet), which collapsed, has not been included in renovations since the Centre's construction in 1969 is particularly concerning.

"No one was injured in the incident, but material damage was caused. The Government of Sarajevo Canton, as the founder and owner of Skenderija Centre, has been timely informed of all circumstances, including the safety measures taken, the conclusions of the Supervisory Board, expert opinions, as well as a list of urgent requests necessary for the continuation of safe operations. In accordance with its responsibilities for managing a safe and functional facility, the Management, due to the emergency situation and the endangered safety of users, employees, and property, has requested the urgent involvement of Civil Protection or another competent institution for the removal of the remaining risky parts of the parapet, considering that the company does not have the necessary technical, operational, and financial capacities to carry out works of this kind," it was stressed.

At the same time, a request has been sent to initiate renovation projects for the roofs of all sports halls, for which IMK already possesses technical documentation, as well as for the execution of works on the roof of the Youth Centre, for which permits, technical documentation, and budgeted funds for 2026 have been secured.

"We emphasize that this case is not isolated but represents a continuation of problems that have been pointed out for years. The Municipal Inspectorate ordered the closure of a part of the garage space under the Ice Hall in December 2024, which has not been renovated since the collapse in 2012. Despite clear orders and evident risks, the lack of systemic action has led to a further deterioration of the situation," stated this centre.

The Skenderija Centre points out the need to establish a systemic maintenance model, which includes regular technical inspections, preventive renovations, and clearly defined budget lines.

"We particularly point out that more than a year has passed since the closure of a part of the Business City under the so-called 'Trgovki' buildings on the Centre's plateau, which have not been removed to date, although according to expert findings and inspection decisions, they represent a serious safety risk. Their removal is a key prerequisite for the renovation of the plateau, and further delay directly prolongs the risk situation. In this regard, a new request has been sent to the Government of Sarajevo Canton to urge the Sarajevo Cantonal Court to unblock the process. Given that the Management has not received a clear strategic framework for the Centre's development or a facility protection plan since taking office in March 2025, it has been proposed to engage an independent team of experts in spatial planning, construction, cultural heritage, and financial planning to develop a comprehensive analysis of the future of Skenderija Centre. Final decisions on the development model remain within the jurisdiction of the Assembly of Sarajevo Canton," they announced.

In the past year, despite challenges, Skenderija Centre has implemented a series of technical and safety measures and projects, and organized a significant number of sports, economic, and cultural events, thereby reaffirming its important social role.

"We expect the urgent works to be completed in the next two months, and we hope to continue our cooperation as a partner of this year's Sarajevo Film Festival. We emphasize that this is a temporary measure, the duration of which directly depends on the speed and efficiency of the institutional response. The Management expects urgent and concrete steps in implementing the submitted requests.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the consequences of these measures, in addition to citizens, will be most felt by cultural institutions, sports clubs, educational institutions, event organizers, as well as the employees of the company. Due to all of the above, we expect full and urgent support from the Government of Sarajevo Canton to ensure the conditions for the safe continuation of work and the earliest possible return of Skenderija Centre to full functionality. The public will be informed in a timely manner about all further steps and any continuation of activities," concluded the statement from the Skenderija Centre Management.