<Písek> suspended the project for the construction of a swimming pool

Písek - Písek has suspended the project for the construction of a new swimming pool. The reason is primarily the high costs. The estimated amount for the tender for the construction of the new pool was 350 million crowns excluding tax. According to some critics, however, it could approach the figure of half a billion crowns. The decision to halt the project was made today by the city council during their extraordinary session. They proposed to develop a new plan that would ensure the construction of the pool in the area of Žižkov Barracks. This option was supported by 18 of the 26 present members.

"The preparation of the project has already cost 15 million crowns," said Deputy Mayor Petra Trambová (For Písek). The city has been considering building a new pool since 2002, when the current swimming facility was hit by floods. The first more concrete form of the project was proposed by the city council six years ago. "I would like to remind you that in 2013 we were supposed to build a new pool for 180 million crowns. At that time, it was possible to obtain subsidies for the project, and moreover, tenders were won by offers cheaper than the project price. Today we are talking about a pool costing approximately 350 million crowns, and we all know that it is not possible to compete at those project prices today," said Písek Deputy Mayor Ondřej Veselý (ČSSD). According to him, it would be most advantageous for the city to fundamentally renovate the existing swimming stadium. Veselý believes that the costs of this operation would reach a maximum of 200 million crowns. "And the lifespan of the pool could be extended by as much as 50 years," he said.

The current swimming stadium was built in the 1970s and is located near the center by the Otava River. The site for the new pool was chosen by the city in the area near the football field at road I/20, which connects Prague and České Budějovice. Critics of this project, in addition to the high price, point to other possible pitfalls. They mentioned, for example, unstable ground or a high water table.

Písek announced a tender for the pool last year, estimating the costs at 283 million crowns. However, the lowest bid from the tender was 356 million crowns. And it was precisely due to the significant price increase that the city canceled the tender.