On the expansion of ZŠ Lyčkovo náměstí, Prague 8 received 103 million CZK from the city

Prague - The city hall of Prague 8 has received 103 million crowns from the magistrate for the expansion of the right wing of the primary school at Lyčkovo náměstí. The money will be used to build a cafeteria, kitchen, and gym. When exactly the construction will start is not yet clear. The Deputy Mayor Matěj Fichtner (ANO) said this to journalists at an informal breakfast today. Prague 8, like other city districts, has long been struggling with a shortage of school places, which has already led to adjustments in school catchment areas. The city hall operates 24 kindergartens and 15 primary schools.

"We already have a valid building permit, and securing funding was the last issue preventing us from starting to select a construction company. The total cost of the construction will be around 250 million, and we have additional funds promised for the following years," Fichtner said.

The city hall faces the greatest challenge with the lack of places in Karlín; on the other hand, in the north, such as in Čimice or Bohnice, it is not such a problem. In addition to the mentioned expansion of the right wing of the building, a new classroom will be created at the Lyčkovo náměstí school in the former post office building at Karlínské náměstí, and another will be located on Březinova Street instead of the Karlín Brewery, which has its lease end in October. "We are aware that this is not comfortable and it is an emergency solution, but there is no other way at this moment," said Fichtner.

In the future, a new left wing is also planned for the school, which will house eight to twelve new classrooms. A project for the extension is currently being developed. "The definitive solution to the shortage of educational capacity in this area will be a new primary school that will be built on Rohanský Island," Fichtner said. It will accommodate up to 900 new students in 27 classrooms. However, the city hall has not yet agreed with the winner of the architectural competition on the project price. The winning studio AXXI has quoted 69.5 million, which the city hall considers to be overpriced.

This year, the city hall's leadership approved changing school catchment areas due to the insufficient number of places, so that part of the streets in Karlín would not be part of the overloaded primary and kindergarten schools at Lyčkovo náměstí and in Petra Strozziho Street, but would instead fall under the newly established ZŠ Palmovka in Libeň. The intention should be valid from the school year 2024/2025. In the future, children from these streets are expected to move to the primary school on Rohanský Island.

According to Fichtner, the city district needs 2.5 billion crowns for schools, including the construction of the school on Rohanský Island. "But it will likely be more, and we are only talking about primary schools," he added.