Ostrov will complete the first stage of the renovation of the city cultural house this year

Ostrov (Karlovy Vary) - Ostrov in the Karlovy Vary region will complete the first phase of the reconstruction of the municipal cultural house by autumn, focusing primarily on the restoration and modernization of the interiors. The costs of the project will amount to around 27.5 million crowns, of which approximately 21.6 million crowns will be from European Union grants. In addition to changing the appearance of the listed building constructed in the style of so-called socialist realism, there will also be a change in the management of the cultural house. The city has announced a selection procedure for the position of director. The city's spokesperson, Lucie Mildorfová, informed ČTK about this.
One of the largest renovations of the 1955 building began last May, with nearly nine million crowns invested so far. The roof repair, installation of part of the elevator shaft, renovation of the balcony, and covering on the stage have been completed. A new elevator will improve access for disabled visitors, and a hundred new seats on the balconies in the theater hall will enhance comfort when watching performances, said Romana Stolínová from the city's development and urban planning department. "Work related to the construction of the new theater club Točna has now started," Stolínová noted.
Even before the interior reconstruction of the cultural house is completed, a new director will take over its management. Marek Poledníček resigned from the position this month after 16 years of leadership. The city management announced its intention to replace the director for the first time last December. Mayor Pavel Čekan (ČSSD) stated that the change will benefit cultural development in the city. According to him, with approximately seven million crowns the cultural house receives annually from the city, many more interesting events can be prepared. It is not yet clear who the city will choose, as eight candidates have applied for the director position.
The architectural style of socialist realism (sorela) corresponds to traditionalism in the world, and to post-war modernism in Germany. Buildings were constructed in these styles according to comprehensive layouts based on ancient composition rules with an emphasis on symmetry. Similar buildings can be found in nearby Horní Slavkov, as well as in Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Germany. The author of the Ostrov cultural house was architect Jaroslav Krauz and a team led by architect Josef Sedláček. The cornerstone was laid on May 1, 1954. The construction was completed and ceremoniously opened exactly one year later, on May 1, 1955.