Liberec Region has halted negotiations about the purchase of Ještěd, it has no money

Liberec - The Liberec Region has halted negotiations with Czech Radiocommunications regarding the purchase of Ještěd. It lacks the funds for its acquisition and for co-financing the necessary reconstruction. This was stated today by the governor's deputy, Lidie Vajnerová (SOS), to ČTK. While the previous regional leadership allocated 100 million crowns for the purchase of Ještěd in this year's budget, the councilors decided to use it for the pre-financing of regional road reconstructions that received subsidies from the Regional Operational Program.
    According to Jiří Vykydal, head of the development and investments department, Czech Radiocommunications received a statement from the leadership of the Liberec Region that, given the current economic situation, it is compelled to halt negotiations for the purchase of Ještěd. "They did not rule out reopening the negotiations in the coming years if the economic situation improves during this period. Czech Radiocommunications is currently considering further steps," he stated.
    The Ještěd mountain hotel is a Czech construction of the century. The 94-meter-high hyperboloid uniquely combines the functions of a transmitter, hotel, and restaurant. It has been serving the public since July 9, 1973, and its author, Karel Hubáček, received the Perret Prize awarded by the International Union of Architects for the project in 1969. The jury then stated that the work stands out for its clarity and fortunate harmony, with which it merges into the surrounding landscape. The way the building complements the silhouette of the 1012-meter-high mountain still captivates both experts and laypeople today. The region is striving to list the building as a UNESCO monument, but the tower urgently needs reconstruction.
    Liberec governor Stanislav Eichler (ČSSD) previously told reporters that the region is interested in Ještěd, but it is not a priority. "We have a shortfall in funding for social services, retirement homes, and other sectors, and we therefore cannot afford to purchase Ještěd," said the governor.
    This year, the region is managing a budget of around 6.5 billion crowns, but due to the economic crisis, tax revenues are likely to be significantly lower. In the first quarter alone, tax revenues were 55 million lower, and around 90 million is missing for social services. The region has therefore already utilized most of the funds from the half a billion that remained in its accounts at the end of last year.
    Ještěd is owned by Czech Radiocommunications, which acquired it in 2000 for 85 million crowns. They have previously invested over 20 million crowns into the building, and a recent replacement of a twenty-meter antenna, which will ensure the transmission of digital signals in northeastern Bohemia, cost several tens of millions more. However, the building urgently needs repairs; it lacks a connection to the sewer system, the exterior does not seal properly in rainy weather, and water leaks inside.
    "There is a chance to obtain subsidies from European funds for the reconstruction, but due to the commercial use, it would require a significant co-financing from the region," Vajnerová said. However, the region does not have that either, which is why the negotiations were stopped. "I am looking for another way to realize the whole matter," the deputy added.