The reconstruction of the dormitory in Liberec into a school for the disabled will cost the region 220 million CZK

Liberec - According to estimates, the planned reconstruction of the former boarding school on Zeyerova Street in Liberec into a special school will cost more than 220 million crowns. It is intended primarily for children with autism spectrum disorders, an area where the number of clients has significantly increased in recent years. The construction will be largely financed by the region, and it has a chance to obtain a maximum of 60 million crowns from European funds, said regional governor Martin Půta (Mayors for the Liberec Region) to ČTK today.

"We are somewhat relying on the fact that the current situation in the construction market is somewhat turbulent, which could lead to a sharp competition and the final price might be lower. That is why we approved the commitment of co-financing today at the regional council so that we could announce a tender. I expect that we will manage to announce the tender for contractors in October, and we believe that companies will compete a bit," Půta added. According to him, work should then begin next spring. "The capacities of special schools in the region are insufficient," the governor added.

The building belongs to the city, and the region only has it on loan for 50 years. Although the local authorities signed a memorandum of cooperation, the region is negotiating with Liberec about the possibility of taking over the complex to invest in it themselves. "If we wanted to utilize the available land in that area, perhaps for the construction of additional facilities, such as a respite service for parents of autistic children or a day center, which is not sufficiently available in Liberec, it would be better if it were owned by the region," Půta said.

The former boarding school should serve as a kindergarten and primary school for children with disabilities. The project plans to build about twenty classrooms, special classes, and training workplaces. There will also be rehabilitation and relaxation rooms and additional facilities for students and teachers, such as an after-school club, a lunch distribution area, a cafeteria, offices, or a staff room. Partial reconstruction is planned for the social facilities, and new restrooms for the immobile and changing rooms are also in the works. The builders will also replace all windows.

The building that the region wants to reconstruct for the school is located in the garden above the U Nisy football stadium. The complex was built at the end of the 19th century for a poorhouse and an old people's home. From 1953, it served as a dormitory for students of the Liberec University and later as a boarding school for high school students. There are two buildings there, both owned by the city, but the Liberec Region has them on a long-term lease. Since mid-2017, the site has been empty, as the region concentrated students in the adjacent building and does not need additional capacity.

The local authorities agreed on the reconstruction of the building into a school three years ago, but the project took a long time to prepare. Meanwhile, the region used the building during the coronavirus pandemic to accommodate homeless individuals and those who were permanently removed from their homes and needed to be placed in quarantine. Last year, the building served for the temporary accommodation of approximately 200 refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.