Plzeň allocated 20 million CZK for the repairs of the cultural house Peklo

Plzeň - Plzeň has released 20 million crowns to start renovations on the cultural house Peklo, a protected historical building. In the former army barracks building, which has been owned by the city for 13 years, plans include a heat exchange station connected to the central heating system, the replacement of radiators, piping, flooring in the halls and restrooms, as well as improvements to the roof, facade, and parking. The project will be ready by autumn, said the Deputy Mayor Pavel Kotas (ČSSD) and Councilor David Šlouf (ODS) to ČTK.

"Then we have to get to work immediately, so that starting September 2018 the tenant, the company Plzeň 2015 (currently borrowing the building), can operate in fully renovated spaces," said Šlouf. According to him, the initial renovation cannot be divided into phases because the heat exchanger, connections, piping, and radiators need to be done all at once.

"After we invest 20 million crowns into repairs and decide what to do with Peklo next, we will develop an economic model to determine whether the rents will cover the building’s operation. In the coming years, we must plan a major renovation," said Mayor Martin Zrzavecký (ČSSD).

The costs for the complete restoration of the cultural house, whose hall is supported by beams and leaks in some areas, will depend on the defined use. According to an older study, repairs would require between 200 and 300 million CZK, somewhat less than what was spent to renovate the Měšťanská beseda.

The large hall for nearly 800 people must continue to be used, according to Deputy Mayor Martin Baxa (ODS), for cultural and social purposes. "It is absolutely irreplaceable in the city’s cultural infrastructure," he stated. Two smaller halls and a number of offices will serve for leisure activities, non-profit organizations, and as shared spaces for startups. In Peklo, there is also a museum of General Patton, which is set to move to Klatovská 19.