Rožnov will assess the revised project documentation for the Cultural Center

Rožnov pod Radhoštěm - Rožnov pod Radhoštěm in the Vsetín region will have a technical and economic expert assessment of the revised project documentation for the construction of the Cultural Center done by the Brno University of Technology (VUT). A decision on how to proceed with the construction of the center will be made based on the results. This was decided today by the city councilors, who also approved the creation of a committee for the completion of the Cultural Center. The construction of the center, costing more than 360 million crowns, was halted last year, with the foundation slab completed.

Construction of the Cultural Center began last spring by the Zlín construction company Navláčil. It was supposed to be the largest investment project in Zlín in recent years, and due to this, the city also took out loans. The company disagreed with the city administration on a change of subcontractor for the timber construction. It also pointed out deficiencies in the project documentation and demanded an increase in the price for the main construction. In November it withdrew from the contract, and in December the city reached an agreement with the company to terminate the contract.

At the end of the year, the city ordered an assessment of the project documentation for the construction of the center from VUT. In January, the Zlín administration stated that according to the initial conclusions of the assessment, the project documentation has serious deficiencies. The author of the project, Archteam design office, according to the Zlín administration, stated that the documentation is without defects and that the requirements asserted by the city as defects in the documentation would be incorporated as additional requirements. In mid-April, it submitted the revised documentation.

Mayor Jan Kučera (Independent Rožnov) said today that the city administration wants to build the Cultural Center, but safely and in a way that ensures flawless project documentation and certainty that the cost of the project will not exceed the estimated value. Once the city has a comprehensive assessment of the revised documentation, which could be available in the autumn, further steps can be taken. A new tender for the construction contractor could take place at the turn of the year. Another option is for the city to commission the preparation of new project documentation. A building by a different author could then be constructed on the foundation slab. "We want to proceed safely, let’s have the project documentation checked, having a verified project means certainty and peace of mind," said the mayor.

Some opposition councilors criticized the city's approach and consider further assessment of the documentation unnecessary. "We have the money and the project, but we are not going to build because we will still be assessing something. So let’s start building, any further delay I consider disadvantageous for the city," said opposition city councilor, former mayor of Rožnov and governor of the Zlín Region Radim Holiš (ANO).

According to the head of the city finance department, Martin Hrnčárek, around 52 million crowns have been invested in the Cultural Center so far, of which nearly 32 million for construction. Zlín received a grant of 120 million for the construction, which can be accessed until the end of 2029. The city has saved 110 million crowns for the center and a second project, the reconstruction and extension of the library, and has also secured loans that have not yet been drawn.