Chomutov will showcase in autumn how it is possible to utilize the former spa

Chomutov - Chomutov will present a study on the use of the former city baths this autumn. Demolition of the building in the city center is not ruled out. Specific proposals will be commented on by councilors and the public, and the city hall management wants to be clear about the future of the former swimming hall next year. This was stated by Deputy Mayor David Dinda (New North).

The Investment Department, together with architects, will prepare several concepts by autumn. "There should be no more than three specific ideas that will be developed, drawn, and an economic analysis will be conducted. A cost estimate for demolition will also be prepared. Next year, the city will make a fundamental decision on which direction to take," said Dinda.

Second Deputy Mayor Milan Märc (New North) is in favor of demolishing the building. Mayor Marek Hrabáč (ANO) told ČTK that if no meaningful use for the building is found within ten years, it should be razed to the ground.

If the city decides to implement one of the ideas, the project should be included in the government's RE:START program to assist selected regions.

The municipal baths with a fifty-meter pool ceased to serve the public in 2012. Since then, a number of ideas have emerged on how to utilize the massive building. Among them were an education center, facilities for surfers with an artificial wave, a botanical garden, and more. "It is clear that water will not return to the baths," stated Dinda.

The baths were opened to the public on October 1, 1980. At that time, it was one of the most modern swimming complexes in northern Bohemia. Evidence of this is the overflow pool, which allowed the water level in the pool to be lowered by up to half a meter. After a failure of the main filter, the baths operations were terminated, and they were replaced by a water park in the area of the former barracks in Zadní Vinohrady.

This year, the building of the baths will be used by filmmakers. They will spend four days there as part of the filming of a Czech detective series directed by Viktor Tauš and Matěj Chlupáček.