Karlovy Vary will transfer the Imperial Spa to the region, and they will contribute to the repairs

photo: www.karlovy-vary.cz

Karlovy Vary - The representatives of Karlovy Vary rejected the transfer of the dilapidated building of the Imperial Baths from the Karlovy Vary Region. At the turn of last year and this year, the region exited the interest association that was supposed to ensure the reconstruction of the national cultural monument. However, the city intends to keep its promise to contribute 100 million crowns for the repair.

Mayor Petr Kulhánek (KOA) told the representatives today that after the dissolution of the association, there were two options for dealing with the Imperial Baths, which the region transferred to its ownership years ago. One was for the city to apply for the return of the building, and the other option was to leave further concerns to the region.

"At the moment when the baths are owned by the region and there are agreements on cooperation and co-financing, it is more rational from our perspective if they do not change ownership and remain under the jurisdiction of the region, with the city acknowledging its commitments," Kulhánek stated.

The new leadership of the Karlovy Vary Region, led by ANO, removed 200 million crowns for the repair of the baths from the regional budget and decided to exit the association. The reason, according to governor Jana Vildumetzová (ANO), was that financing was not clarified and the activities of the association were unclear. However, the region promised that if necessary, it would find money for the Imperial Baths.

"The Karlovy Vary Region is ready to fulfill its commitment from the past to this facility. The regional council must decide on the transfer of rights and obligations of the interest association at its meeting on February 23," stated governor Jana Vildumetzová (ANO).

"If the representatives of the Karlovy Vary Region approve the transfer of rights and obligations of the interest association, we will finally have the opportunity to learn about what the interest association, which was supposed to take care of drawing subsidies for the repair of the building, has been dealing with in recent years, and how the funds it had at its disposal were managed," the governor stated.

There was some support for the takeover of the endangered building from part of the city opposition, as well as some coalition members. Therefore, the council did not present a clear recommendation to the representatives, and the decision was left to them. For example, opposition representative Jiří Kotek (ALTERNATIVA) and Zdeněk Musil (KSČM) wanted the baths back under the city. However, there were no unanimous opinions even within individual clubs.

Kulhánek stated that the project documentation is completed and is ready at the building authority. The costs for the reconstruction are expected to be 550 million crowns. Meanwhile, the selection process for the contractor continues. "The agreement was that there would be seven qualified bidders, and they would be given the project documentation to submit final offers, so that progress could be made in the spring," Kulhánek stated.

However, it is still unclear how the region will approach the selection process. The governor also wants to negotiate a state subsidy that would help with the repair of the Imperial Baths.

It has been assumed that the reconstruction would be funded with 200 million crowns from the region, 100 million crowns from the city, and 140 million crowns from the Integrated Regional Development Program Karlovy Vary. The state promised about 100 million crowns.