New library in Chodov, Sokolov region will be more expensive, it will cost 35 million CZK

Chodov - The construction of the municipal library in Chodov in the Sokolov region, originally costing 31 million crowns without VAT, will be increased by 4.1 million crowns. The city hall agreed on the price increase with the construction company after commissioning an economic-legal analysis for this purpose. The deadline for completing the construction work will also be postponed. It is expected to be completed in the spring of next year. The new library should then start serving the public at the beginning of the next school year, Mayor Patrik Pizinger (Local) said to reporters today.

The library is being created through the conversion of a former dumpling production facility. Construction work began in the middle of last year. At the beginning of this year, however, the contractor requested an increase in the budget from the city, stating that they were having financing problems. The higher cost was justified by the rise in construction material prices exacerbated by Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The city had several options for how to address the situation. It considered withdrawing from the contract, freezing the construction, and announcing a new tender. However, according to the mayor, continuing the construction even at a higher price turned out to be the most advantageous option. After the increase, the construction costs rose to 35 million crowns without VAT. "It is neither an inflationary increase nor the originally requested amount, which was nearly double, but it is a result of a compromise guaranteed by the completion of the construction," the mayor said.

The construction is awaiting the completion of the outer shell so that builders can work on the interiors during the winter. "The basic skeleton is completed, which means all demolition work has been done, the first walls are being built, windows are being installed, and the roof is being prepared. Further, the pouring of the connecting neck, where the staircase and elevator shaft will be, is underway. A multifunctional hall is also ready," the mayor said.

Part of the agreement was also an extension of the handover deadline. The construction was originally supposed to be completed this year, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it will finish only in the spring of next year. After that, the building will be furnished and prepared for future operations.

The goal of the thirteen-thousand-inhabitant Chodov is to build a library with a community hall and café that meets modern trends. After the construction is completed, there are plans to create a green roof, with estimated costs of around ten million crowns. In the following years, the city hall also plans further modifications of the entire area. A park is expected to be created around the library.