Příbram will convert the outdoor pool into an indoor one and will use the aquapark for other purposes

Příbram - Příbram will transform the outdoor pool into an indoor one and the aquapark building will be repurposed for other uses. It could become, for example, a multifunctional hall. This decision was made today by the city councilors. The estimated costs will exceed 380 million crowns. The city hall struggled to find a construction company that would repair the dilapidated aquapark. It had to cancel the repeated tender because the only bidder did not meet the tender conditions. Therefore, the city leadership decided to look for alternative solutions for the aquapark.

The councilors discussed individual options on May 14 during a working meeting. Today, they decided on the next direction of the project works, with detailed solutions to be approved on December 4. An expert group composed of designers, technologists, specialists in the operation of similar facilities, structural engineers, an architect focused on urbanism, and energy efficiency will be established for the project. At the same time, a supervisory group composed of representatives from all council clubs should be assembled.

First Deputy Mayor Vladimír Karpíšek (for ANO) stated that the approved option is estimated to cost 382 million crowns. The use of the aquapark for other purposes is also considered, and the city is negotiating with a potential investor for the construction of a parking garage. The investor would contribute funds to the project and would be interested in commercially operating the parking garage.

The vote was preceded by a verbal skirmish between Mayor Jan Konvalinka (for ANO) and opposition councilor Aleš Barášek from Chance for Příbram. Barášek proposed that the city put the aquapark in a state allowing it to be used for five to ten years and leave the renovation or construction of a new pool to someone who could handle it. "You won't do it," he said regarding the current leadership. "You can make nice promises, you can speak well. You release a lot of information to the media, but there is no action," he added. Konvalinka labeled his statement as manipulation.

The opposition also criticized Konvalinka for the city losing the outdoor pool. The mayor argued that a new indoor pool could be opened in the summer, allowing visitors to sunbathe outside.

The main problem for the aquapark is the technology, which is several decades old. A study prepared by the Sports Facilities of the City of Příbram described the state of the complex and the possibilities for its future. The proposed solutions considered various uses of the existing project or the creation of an entirely new project. The most expensive option was to demolish and build a new aquapark.

In the past, the councilors set a price cap for the reconstruction at 350 million crowns excluding VAT. However, the only bidder offered 405 million CZK without tax. Thus, he did not meet the conditions of the announced procedure, and the councilors decided to exclude him and cancel the bidding process.

Příbram has been preparing this project for several years, and discussions about it began in 2016. In May 2020, work on the preparation of the comprehensive reconstruction was halted. According to Konvalinka, the project had become too bloated, and the price would exceed half a billion crowns. Therefore, the councilors decided to reduce the maximum price, which they later adjusted again due to changing construction prices. According to the opposition, the new aquapark should have been in operation long ago. Konvalinka argues that the city hall faced a large number of inquiries from potential suppliers, which it had to respond to, and that it was trying to prepare the contract as well as possible.