Letohrad is renovating the cultural center, the price will be 227 million crowns

Letohrad – In Letohrad in the Orlickoústecko region, modernization of the cultural center began this month. The city has been preparing the project for several years. The investment will cost 227 million crowns, which is nine percent more than the estimated price. This was stated by Mayor Petr Fiala (Association for Letohrad).

"It happened at a time when I was worried about even higher costs. The company recently took over the construction, and in November it will begin with the demolition of parts of the second floor. It is expected to be completed by the end of May 2023. The dance hall will be enlarged, and a small music hall will be added. The elementary art school will move there. The entrance will be wheelchair accessible, as there are currently stairs," said Fiala.

The topic of the cultural center and what to do with it has been a public issue for several years. In 2016, two-thirds of 2,000 people surveyed said they wanted the reconstruction of the building. Last year, the opposition proposed a referendum because they felt the cost of around 200 million crowns was too high. Ultimately, the plebiscite favored the full-scale modernization.

The cultural center dates back to the 1960s. After the modernization, it will have an expanded stage, tiered seating will remain, but they should be more comfortable and there will be slightly fewer of them. A dance hall will be added, for example. The café operation and outdoor seating will remain. A building for the Elementary Art School will also be added, which will relocate there from the castle. This will free up space in the castle interiors for a library.

"We have been discussing in the council for about four years what and how to do it, expert firms provided us with opinions on whether reconstruction or new construction would be more expensive. The reconstruction came out better. Then we decided whether to place the library or the art school there. The building will be fully utilized," said the mayor. Cultural events will still be held at the Orlovna, he added.