Brno has companies for the reconstruction of Janáček Theatre, it will start in July

Brno - Brno has selected companies for the reconstruction of Janáček Theater for more than half a billion crowns. The tender was won by the consortium of companies Metrostav, IMOS, and OHL ŽS, Deputy Mayor Richard Mrázek (ANO) told reporters today. Construction work will begin in July this year and end in August next year. The renovation will affect the theater's facilities and the roof, expand the social facilities, and more. The theater will operate in different spaces but will maintain its production volume, added Martin Glaser, director of the National Theater Brno, of which Janáček Theater is a part. However, according to him, the theater anticipates a revenue drop of about fifty million crowns.

The selection of the contractor was approved by the councilors. The costs exceed 524 million excluding VAT. "There is now a 15-day period during which other candidates can appeal the results of the tender. At the end of June, we will be able to sign the contract and hand over the construction site, and the actual reconstruction will start at the beginning of July. The deadline for completing the work is set at 14 months," said Mrázek.

The construction work will focus on the theater's facilities, but there are also plans for the roof reconstruction. During the installation of new air conditioning, workers uncovered its poor condition. The original roof panels will be replaced with more modern construction that will allow the suspension of air conditioning elements since they cannot fit into the theater's space. The social facilities will also be expanded, and the interiors of the audience spaces and the buffet will be modernized. The operational spaces of the theater, including staff facilities and stage technology, will be completely renovated. The reconstruction will include the distribution systems as well as access and parking areas for the operational part of the theater building.

The project has been prepared in cooperation with the National Theater Brno for a long time. As a result, programming in alternative spaces is ensured. "We will lose the largest of our stages, but we will maintain the volume of our production. It will be a challenging year, with operations at Mahen Theater and in Reduta, where more premieres than in normal years will take place. But we will also be seen at the exhibition grounds, in Lužánky Park, as well as in Bishop's Court or in the courtyard of Špilberk," listed Director Glaser. According to him, there are 16 to 18 premieres and around 600 repetitions annually. Given that the alternative spaces have a smaller capacity than Janáček Theater, Glaser anticipates a revenue drop of about fifty million crowns. Additional costs will also arise, for example, from storing items from the theater and so on.