Bažantnice Lives – Revitalization of Hodonín After the Tornado

Hodonín had planned the revitalization of the suburban Bažantnice forest as early as 2018. The South Moravian tornado, which hit the town in June 2021, accelerated the entire process. At the same time, the scope of the revitalized area was significantly expanded. In response to the disaster's impact, our foundation allocated a total of 150 million CZK, of which 50 million CZK was designated for immediate assistance to affected families and 100 million CZK specifically for the restoration of Hodonín’s Bažantnice. In addition to this aid, we produced the documentary film Tornado – One Year Later. The restoration of the Hodonínsko region is a completely natural part of our foundation’s activities, especially since our founder, Karel Komárek, comes from Hodonín.

Bažantnice: A Space for Everyone

Thanks to us, Bažantnice is becoming a place where everyone can find something for themselves. We are creating a space with respect for the people who live in the town, respect for the nature that surrounds us, and respect for the history of the town and region. Bažantnice will be a place for relaxation and active recreation, for spending time with family and friends, a place for education, and a birthplace for new sports talents.

House of Nature – National Natural Monument Hodonínská Dúbrava

The House of Nature Hodonínská Dúbrava is part of a network of 12 Houses of Nature located in protected landscape areas across the Czech Republic. The new visitor and information center of the Bažantnice forest park was officially opened on June 1, 2024.

Suburban Forest Park Bažantnice in Hodonín

The goal of the suburban forest revitalization is to create a recreational area not only for the Bažantnice district but for the entire town of Hodonín. The forest park will offer many opportunities for sports and leisure activities. Visitors will appreciate trails for pedestrians, cyclists, and a new educational trail. The project is expected to be completed in June 2025.

Sports Complex U Červených domků in Hodonín

The sports complex will expand from four to seven hectares. Athletes will gain practical and modern facilities and sports grounds that they have long been striving for. The plan is to open the sports facilities to the general public, providing new opportunities for active leisure activities and community gatherings. The project is expected to be completed in June 2025.

Children's Town in Hodonín

The children's, or rather scout town, was used by children and scouts before the tornado. We are continuing this tradition while giving it a new dimension. The site will feature a complex of 13 cabins and a main building with facilities, communal spaces, a fire pit, and a playground for children, youth, and adults. The plan also includes restoring greenery. The expected completion date of the project is November 2025.

Restoration of the Park in Front of the Elementary School U Červených domků in Hodonín

The main goal of the project is to restore greenery to the area. The space will also be enhanced with additional elements to create a pleasant atmosphere and offer visitors to Bažantnice new opportunities for active and relaxing leisure time.

The park will encourage gathering and relaxation for everyone who visits—not only for schoolchildren and residents of nearby buildings, but also for the city's inhabitants and people from the surrounding region.

The expected completion date of the project is November 2026.

Other Activities

Documentary Film Tornado – One Year Later

Our foundation supported two other interesting activities that go beyond the theme of public space. The first is the documentary film Tornado, One Year Later by director Jana Počtová, created in collaboration with Czech Television. The foundation also organized a screening of the film at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The film is available for viewing on the iVysílání website of Czech Television.

Evaluation Research

The collaboration between several foundations that began immediately after the tornado continued in the following months. As a result, an evaluation research study was conducted by the humanitarian and development organization ADRA. The research assessed the direct impact of the tornado on households (material damage, how the affected people perceived the event, and its impact on their lives) as well as how the provided assistance was evaluated by members of the community (association members, mayors, local representatives, and regional officials such as members of the Regional Crisis Staff and firefighters). The research findings aim to serve as recommendations for the effective management of crisis situations. The foundation supported the research with a contribution of 100,000 CZK.