Chomutov is considering what to do with the spas and will consult with architects

Chomutov - The fifty-thousand strong city of Chomutov is deciding what to do with the building of the former municipal baths. The massive structure in the city center ceased to serve its purpose in October 2012. Citizens have proposed transforming the hall with a fifty-meter swimming pool into an adrenaline center. There has also been talk of demolition. The city hall now wants to consult with architects.
The former city leadership proposed to have the building demolished. "Demolition is always the last resort. There is plenty of time to think about what to do with the baths. All over the world today, there are smart efforts to utilize buildings left by our ancestors, and it can be done here without any problems," said architect Adam Gebrian at a workshop with Chomutov citizens, stating that there is no need to look for a solution within a month or two, but that it could be postponed longer.
The city hall already has suggestions from citizens who wished for an equestrian hall with stables, a surf park with artificial waves, a botanical garden, and more alongside the adrenaline center. The city will now discuss citizens' proposals with representatives of the professional community. "The final decision will be up to the citizens of Chomutov, who must also decide whether and to what extent the city should finance a potential reconstruction and its subsequent operation," said Mayor Daniel Černý (PRO Chomutov) on the matter.
The municipal baths were opened to the public in Chomutov on October 1, 1980. At that time, it was one of the most modern swimming complexes in northern Bohemia. "A testament to that is the overflow pool, which allowed the water level in the swimming pool, which can hold 2,360 cubic meters of water, to be lowered by up to half a meter. It was widely used during lessons for children and also for maintenance," described Miroslav Laban, operations manager of the new Aquasvět at the former barracks in Zadní Vinohrady, to CTK.
The Aquasvět Chomutov replaced the baths in October 2012, which ceased operations after a main filter failure. While only a handful of people visited the baths in recent years, even when entry fees were just a crown on some days, the aquasvět is utilized almost to its full capacity. "The average is 500 people daily, on weekends it can reach up to 1,200 or 1,300 people. Last year, there were visitors even during the holidays when we expected it to be quieter," Laban described.
The new aquapark features water slides, whirlpools, massage jets, and a twenty-five-meter pool. This is precisely what many professional swimmers, like multiple-time Czech champion Simona Baumrtová, see as a drawback. The Chomutov specialist in butterfly stroke attracts young swimmers to the sport. However, the new facility suits those swimmers well. There is also a separate pool for swimming with infants. "The lack of attractions was what led people to stop visiting the baths," pointed out Laban.
The traces of visitors inside the old facility are now very few. The giant palms from the entrance hall were moved by employees to the new location, as was the painting by academic painter Josef Liesler. The abstract artwork themed around water has once again become the focal point of the entrance.