Plzeň and the region are preparing an aquapark; first, they will have a study prepared

Plzeň - Plzeň does not intend to update a six-year-old study on the construction and operation of an outdoor water park, which has been discussed in the city for nearly 20 years. The opposition TOP 09, supported by ANO, unsuccessfully sought to push for an update of the study costing about 100,000 crowns at today's council meeting. However, the city will pay half with the Plzeň Region for a new study costing 1.4 million crowns. ODS, which is in coalition with ČSSD in the city and the region, proposes to clean part of the Czech Valley reservoir, which is currently not suitable for swimming, the councilors stated.

TOP 09 wanted to update the data from 2012 for approaching private investors. They assert that the city should not build a water park; according to councilor Michal Vozobule, it should create the best conditions for investment by private companies. However, the coalition maintains that there has been no interest so far.

After discussions with the city leadership, the region prepared an agreement on joint procedures and sent the proposal to the magistrate on Friday. The partners aim to build a water entertainment center with a recreation area on the outskirts of the city for hundreds of millions. The first step will be a study by a German company that has experience with the construction and operation of similar facilities.

According to Mayor Martin Zrzavecký (ČSSD), the study will be completed within four to six months and will determine the best location, types of attractions, construction costs, and operational costs, which would be provided by a private entity.

Most councilors today were not opposed to the idea of the city and the region participating in what is likely to be an unprofitable operation of the attraction. The previous study estimated the operational cost of the water park at 700 million crowns to be 50 million per year, which would be covered by a private entity. According to councilor Petr Suchý (TOP 09), it should not be a problem for the city to contribute millions, given that it spends 200 million annually on the theater.

According to the mayor, work is currently underway on a declaration of mutual cooperation between the city and the region. The proposal for the agreement is now being reviewed by the magistrate and its lawyers.

"The water park will not be just for Plzeň, but for the whole region. Therefore, we are glad that the memorandum with the region is being created," said Deputy Mayor Pavel Kotas (ČSSD).

The study from 2012 will be one of the documents for the German contractor of the new analysis. The city is not only focusing on building a new outdoor area. They will invest over 130 million crowns in the modernization and comprehensive reconstruction of the largest pool, Slovany. The areas should not compete with each other.