The state promised 100 million for the renovation of the Karlovy Vary Imperial Baths

Karlovy Vary - The state has promised 100 million crowns for the renovation of the Imperial Baths in Karlovy Vary. The city and the Karlovy Vary Region have been striving for years for the reconstruction of this valuable historical monument. It has only now been possible to negotiate state participation in financing the reconstruction. According to Karlovy Vary's mayor Petr Kulhánek (KOA), this represents a turning point in the state's approach. Kulhánek announced this today to ČTK.
    The state contribution for the renovation was agreed upon at today's meeting of the working group, which includes representatives from the ministries of finance and culture, the Karlovy Vary Region, and the city. "The state will contribute 100 million crowns to the restoration according to today's agreement. With the current financial resources from the city (100 million CZK) and the Karlovy Vary Region (200 million CZK) the total will be 400 million crowns, while we will jointly seek the remaining funds, about 200 million, from European funds in the new programming period. Another possibility could be to spread the restoration over two phases," said Kulhánek.
    Next, the project documentation will need to be revised so that the reconstruction can begin next year. The Imperial Baths are currently owned by the Karlovy Vary Region. According to its governor Martin Havel (ČSSD), the region will seek subsidies for the currently uncovered costs. "The state said up to 100 million, which is not enough. So we must allocate regional and city funds, and the region will apply for grants from the Integrated Regional Program. However, it will only be able to apply for that in 2016," Havel told ČTK.
    Until then, according to the governor, it will be necessary to supplement the contract between the city and the region and adjust the project, which could cost in the range of a few million crowns. As Havel told ČTK, in the new broad coalition without communists in the leadership of the region, there is rather a willingness to invest and save this valuable monument.
    The region and the city have attempted to secure funding for the renovation of the national cultural monument, which is one of the most significant in Karlovy Vary, in various ways. The original project estimated costs around 900 million CZK, for which the Ministry of Culture and the Regional Operational Program (ROP) Northwest were also supposed to contribute alongside the city and the region. However, the money from the ministry did not come through, making it impossible to apply for a grant from ROP Northwest. Now, a reduced version of the project is on the table, which should cost around 600 million crowns.
    Hopes for state funds rekindled after the visit of Finance Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) to Karlovy Vary in January. He then stated that the building deserved a renovation if it could ensure year-round operation.
    "I see today's meeting as a turning point in the state's approach to the restoration of this national cultural monument, and I believe that based on this fact, the regional council will approach the entire project and approve an amendment to the agreement between the city and the region regarding the extension of the deadlines for the joint action for the restoration of the Imperial Baths," added Kulhánek.
    Although the Imperial Baths receive annual subsidies from the Ministry of Culture in the range of one to two million crowns, this is only sufficient for minor repairs. The building, dating back to the late 19th century, therefore remains unused and only opens to the public during exceptional events.