A community center will be established in the Máj housing estate in České Budějovice

České Budějovice - The construction of a community center in the Máj housing estate in České Budějovice will be one of the most significant investment projects for the city next year. The councilors approved the announcement of a tender for the contractor of the project for a maximum of 60 million crowns excluding VAT at their recent meeting, said councilor Kamil Calta (TOP 09) to reporters today. Work is expected to begin in May 2013 and be completed by April 30, 2014.
     The five-story building with a playground on the roof will house a mother and child center, a low-threshold facility for children and youth, a primary prevention center, and outreach services for seniors and people with disabilities, as well as a municipal police station.
     The new building will be constructed by the city according to the design of the Bratislava studio SLA, which won the public competition. České Budějovice has received a European subsidy of 30 million crowns for the project. The building will be located on Barcalova Street, where there is currently a parking lot for nearly 40 cars. A few parking spaces will remain, and a new parking lot is expected to be created nearby.
     The idea of building a community center began about seven years ago during the planning of the reconstruction of the Máj housing estate. There is no place in this part of the city where people can gather, apart from commercial establishments.
     In temporary facilities at the senior home, there is currently a mother and child center and a Salesian order that focuses on children from socially disadvantaged families. The senior home would gain the space necessary for the establishment of additional beds after the organizations currently renting there are relocated. There is significant interest in these beds, particularly for people with Alzheimer's disease.
     Organizations such as the Charity are interested in space in the community center, where they would have a counseling service for victims of domestic violence. The center will also include a lecture hall.