The reconstruction of the Emperor's Spa is expected to cost 900 million crowns

Karlovy Vary - The reconstruction of the Imperial Spa in Karlovy Vary is expected to cost 900 million crowns. Half of that is to be funded by subsidies, while the rest will be covered by the funds from Karlovy Vary Region and the city. Construction could begin in spring. The Regional Council of Karlovy Vary Region has approved the requests for subsidies for the reconstruction of the Imperial Spa, said Governor Josef Novotný (ČSSD) to reporters today.
    The applicant for the subsidies will be the Association of Legal Entities of the Imperial Spa, which brings together the region and the city. It will apply for 300 million crowns from the Integrated Operational Program of the Ministry of Culture. According to the governor, the co-financing should amount to 15 percent, which is 45 million crowns. The second subsidy, amounting to 150 million crowns, is to be obtained from the Regional Operational Program. The region's co-financing will be the same, 15 percent, which will be 22.5 million crowns.
    The ineligible costs that the region will cover will amount to 350 million crowns. The remaining 100 million is committed to be provided by the city of Karlovy Vary.
    "We are still negotiating how the preservation of the peat pavilion will manifest itself. It could increase costs by 70 million crowns or even more," added the governor.
    According to the councilor for culture, Eva Valjentová (KSČM), it has been preliminarily agreed at the ministry that a completed project will not be required for the application submission. There will be time until February next year to supplement it with the peat pavilion, as stipulated by the new management of the Karlovy Vary City Hall. The applications are based on the estimated costs of 900 million crowns, but during the tender, the final price could drop significantly, believes Valjentová.
    Novotný stated that a contractor for the construction should be selected this year. If everything goes smoothly, construction could begin in the spring of next year. However, the governor added that this is only possible if both subsidies are successfully obtained.
    The Imperial Spa, a heritage-listed building from 1895, needs repairs to its exteriors and representative interior parts, including the Zander Hall. Additionally, a multipurpose hall, a regional information center, and museum exhibitions are planned to be created here.