Ion Țiriac revealed that he wants to build an ice rink in Brașov from scratch, but he is facing the opposition of the Local Council. 14 of its members did not agree that the billionaire should start such an investment, as the former tennis player revealed in the show “Friends of Ovidiu”.
Ion Țiriac fights with windmills. Photo EPA EFE
After the construction of the ice rink in Otopeni, Ion Țiriac says that he would have wanted to get involved in the development of sports in Brașov: to build a modern ice rink, dedicated mainly to children. After completion, the sports complex would then be made available free of charge to the municipality, which would pay the operating and maintenance costs. It’s just that the proposal of the mayor Allen Coliban did not pass the vote of the local councilors. The billionaire told in the dialogue with Ovidiu Ioanițoaia how he was obstructed by the elected officials from the city below Tâmpa.
– I want to ask you about the construction of sports bases…
– In the Foundation statute, we have passed that up to 50 percent of each year we invest in sports. I am waiting for the law to help us. I also spoke with the Prime Minister, to make this law, for the public-private sector, a law through which you can do something for the communities. If all over this country there are so many lands where there is nothing, and tomorrow morning they build an ice rink, what does the state lose?
Brașov City Hall did not find a land for the ice rink
– Nothing.
– I want to make an ice rink for children and youth. What does the state lose? And I give it to the town hall, which loses nothing. Drink more, people are hired, taxes are paid and work is done. I don’t care that some people say how this company or this NGO or I don’t know who indulges in nasty things. To prison everyone! If someone falsifies, then you take everything! Absolute. This law must pass. The mayor (No. Allen Coliban): “God, we don’t have ice rinks, we only have one. We are with history, with the ice rink. Matale live here, from the Red Flag…”. There were eight teams in Brașov when I played hockey. I was putting water with the hose… It wasn’t artificial, it wasn’t anything.
– That’s right.
– I told him. You have 400,000 inhabitants, we don’t do it in the city, tell me where you have land. “Well, I don’t have land.” “How come you don’t have land, sir? You’re all from Brașov, how can you not have land?”. “Well, I don’t have land, from where?”. “I’ll make you an ice rink that no longer costs 4 million, but eight! I have 10 million, the Foundation gave me for doing. I want the ice rink, I want a judo hall and I also want 3 colors of fencing”.
– Yes.
– Brașov has always been good at this and at judo. Gone is judo from the Olympics… Coming back. I told him: “Be careful! I can do it, but I have no way to administer it. I’ll give you the keys after I’ve done them.”
14 votes against a rink given away for free
– And you take care of him.
– You sign with me. Children up to 12 years old, free! Skating, hockey, figure skating, speed skating… After, the matale public. Sponsors at Matale. I’m not interested, I’ll even give you one from Allianz. Mr. Vizer gives me two more tatami mats, he also gives me two trainers. Let’s do… That’s the deal. If you don’t do the right thing, I’ll take it right back.
– And what happened?
– His misfortune that he had 12 people (no local councilors) with him and 14 who were in opposition. In the end I bought the land! Can you believe they voted against it!
– In the local council.
– Yes, all discussion is over, ok, thanks, goodbye.
