The Krnov municipal baths will be created according to the design by a team under the brand AOC architects

Krnov - The new municipal baths in Krnov in the Bruntál region will likely be built in the area of the swimming pool according to the design by a ten-member team merged under the brand AOC architekti s.r.o. This company was the most successful in the narrowed architectural competition. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 according to preliminary plans, with costs estimated at around 300 million crowns.

The first phase of the competition involved 14 participants not only from the Czech Republic but also from Hungary, China, Italy, and Turkey. The jury selected five proposals and requested further development. The judges then awarded the first prize and recognized two other proposals.

"The new municipal baths are a textbook example for me of why to hold architectural competitions. We received 14 proposals, and the winning one significantly stands out from the others – in terms of placement in the space, compactness, and the solution of operational links. A higher investment in project preparation will return in the form of lower construction costs and, above all, more economical operation," said Tomáš Hradil (Krnovští patrioti), vice-chairman of the jury and mayor of Krnov, to ČTK.

The new baths are to be built on city-owned land with a total area of 13,200 m². The connection of the current outdoor swimming pool with the new municipal baths will create a sports and relaxation center linked to the city's sports infrastructure along Petrovická Street. The municipal baths will include a swimming pool, relaxation pool, sauna world, fitness facilities, and supplementary services related to these operations. Parking and transport connections to the area are also planned.

The competition itself cost the city 4.2 million crowns. An additional 15 million crowns will be paid by the city hall by 2024 for the preparation of project documentation. Total project costs are expected to be around 300 million crowns. The design process is scheduled to begin in January 2022 and is expected to last two years, with the start of construction tentatively set for 2025. The aquapark is then expected to open in 2026.