The monastery in Plasy can revitalize 12 projects worth hundreds of millions of CZK

Plasy - Currently, 12 projects worth at least 800 million crowns include material that involves the revitalization of the monastery complex in Plasy in northern Plzeň. It is expected to create facilities for the Czech Agricultural University in Prague (ČZU), a depository for the National Technical Museum, a cultural center, and a center for education, said CTK co-author of the project Jaroslava Barbara Sporková.
The integrated project aims to utilize state and European funds for its realization. Plans are divided into investment and non-investment. The main investment intention is the revitalization of the castle for approximately 260 million crowns, where facilities for the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Sciences of ČZU Prague will be established. "It is interesting for them because of the extraordinary forest genofund in the area, and they want to use the place as a natural laboratory," Sporková stated.
Laboratories and research workplaces are proposed in the premises of the economic yard. Two-thirds of the estimated 280 million CZK are to be allocated for repairs, while the remaining amount will be invested in equipment. According to Sporková, the Operational Program for Research and Development for Innovations is suitable for acquiring funds, with the first calls to be submitted at the end of the year.
The National Technical Museum is negotiating the use of part of the complex. It comes with a proposal for the establishment of the Center for Building Heritage for approximately 200 million CZK. It plans to create a depository and a permanent exhibition of construction elements on the premises. The project includes the development of several educational programs. "For the implementation of the Leisure Education program, we propose using stables where horses would be located. There is also a plan for a Historical Building Craft School program that will focus on offering retraining," added Sporková. Another partial intention is to support entrepreneurship. A business incubator could be established in the complex, and private companies could emerge with the university's involvement.
The project authors also plan a Summer School of Talents. Gifted children would work on prepared scientific projects oriented towards technical and natural sciences, with support from the local secondary agricultural school. There are also considerations for a Summer Organ Academy. The project includes the reconstruction of St. Wenceslas Church, the convent building, and the repair of a copy of 19th-century Italian Baroque organs.
The will to establish a university in Plasy was declared in February 2005 by a group of four citizens. The town council discussed the declaration and adopted a resolution that empowered the group to take all necessary steps to revitalize the town. According to Ludmila Drncová from the Plzeň branch of the National Heritage Institute, the revitalization of the monastery is one of the priorities for heritage preservationists.
According to the mayor of Plasy, Miloslav Hurt, a meaningful project that links art and education has finally emerged for the vast complex. "Plasy is a center of education. The town will gain popularity and will be revitalized," Hurt stated. The municipality is trying to adapt the infrastructure to the upcoming project and offer new housing opportunities in connection with it.
The group is currently trying to obtain 250,000 crowns for a "pre-accession" feasibility study of the project.