The International Congress Centre (ICC) in Katowice, southern Poland, looks set to bring cultural and economic benefit to the city and the region as a whole. The ICC will be used by an estimated 68 000 people, including both residents and tourists.
Major congress centre on the site of a former coal mine in Katowice
- 27 November 2014
uilt on the site of a former coal mine, the 38 000 m2 Centre includes a multifunctional hall, a banqueting hall, an auditorium, a restaurant, and conference rooms. In the coming years, these world-class facilities are expected to provide a boost to the socio-economic development of Katowice and Silesia, while improving Poland’s overall competitiveness.
The project gives Katowice one of the largest congress-exhibition centres in the country. The ICC infrastructure offers the city the opportunity to become the second biggest player in Poland’s conference market (after Warsaw), and the third for hosting exhibitions (after Poznan and Kielce). The ICC could hold up to 100 international fairs, exhibitions, conferences and about 37 international cultural and sport events once it is operational.
Complementary objectives
The ICC sits adjacent to the Spodek, an EU co-financed sports arena, and a separate investment will enable both buildings to be linked, making it easier for the public to use these cultural and sporting facilities. Plans are also in the pipeline for the ICC and the EU co-financed National Symphonic Orchestra of Polish Radio to provide complementary services, which should maximise the cultural, social and economic benefits of these investments.
Moreover the project is expected to create 29 jobs during its implementation.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “International Congress Centre in Katowice” is EUR 72 028 956, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 43 076 000 from the Operational Programme “Silesia” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period. Work falls under the priority “Urban sustainable development”.