Repair of Bio Oko in Prague is postponed, no one applied for the tender

Prague - The renovation of the functionalist cinema Bio Oko in Prague, originally planned for September, has been postponed. Prague 7 canceled the tender for the repair of the hall after no one entered the competition. The information was confirmed to ČTK by the spokesperson of the office, Martin Vokuš. The city council will announce the competition again, thus shifting the work to the beginning of next year, he stated. The reconstruction of the cinema is expected to cost around ten million crowns.
    "No one applied for the competition not due to lack of interest, but for capacity reasons, all companies already have other contracts," said Vokuš.
    The cinema remains operational, with only necessary repairs to the air conditioning and heating scheduled for September. It is not yet clear whether screenings will be limited during this time. The construction company is expected to be selected by the council in the fall, with work starting around the turn of the year.
    For example, Prague 7 plans to replace the seats, rearrange the auditorium, increase the spacing, and modify the seating in the balcony. Three separate viewing boxes will be created in the place of the original historical boxes. Each will be designed as a separate room for two viewers with a large window for a view of the screen. The boxes will have their own sound system, connector for headphones, and connection to the interpreting equipment along with a screen for subtitles. Additionally, a multifunctional stage, children's corner, storages, catering facilities, and a wardrobe will be created as part of the repairs.
    Bio Oko is one of the last cinema halls in the Czech Republic that has retained its original atmosphere. The building was constructed in 1940 as the last part of a newly built block of residential houses. The structure is among the significant functionalist buildings in Prague. The last renovation took place in 2007 and cost the city about 6.5 million crowns.