The region may sign a contract for the reconstruction of the Imperial Baths

Karlovy Vary - The Karlovy Vary Region can sign a contract with the winner of the tender for the reconstruction of the Císařské lázně in Karlovy Vary. Participants in the competition had until midnight on Wednesday to file appeals, but none were submitted. The long-delayed repair of the national cultural monument, costing nearly 830 million crowns, will thus begin in December, the governor of the Karlovy Vary Region, Jana Mračková Vildumetzová (ANO), told ČTK today.

"In the coming days, we can sign the contract with the contractor. We are still waiting for the Ministry of Finance's decision on providing a grant of 250 million crowns, but that should arrive in the coming days. After signing the contract, it will also be necessary to inform the labor inspectorate and heritage preservationists about the commencement of work," Mračková Vildumetzová described the next steps.

The start of construction is tentatively scheduled for December 14, the governor added. It is to be associated with a public tour, and the governor wants to invite Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Finance Minister Alena Schillerová (both ANO), and Culture Minister Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD) to it.

According to Mračková Vildumetzová, the region emphasized precision in the preparation of the contract to minimize the risk of potential appeals. Such appeals would delay the start of construction by several months.

The contractor for the construction will be the consortium Císařské lázně - Geosan Group - Metrostav. The consortium won the bidding process with the lowest offer of 828.8 million crowns including VAT. The original estimate from the project accounted for costs of 586 million crowns. The higher price is likely due to the scope of restoration work, as well as the fact that the price cannot increase even due to inflation over the 42 months during which the work is expected to last.