The construction of the Mařenka lookout tower has been delayed, and it will likely finish in October

author of the design: arch. Martin Franěk (Atelier Penta)

Štěměchy (Třebíč region) - The construction of the new lookout tower on Mařenka hill in the Třebíč region is running behind schedule. The observation tower, which is 31 meters high, was supposed to be completed this week. The grand opening was already planned for September 7. However, the construction company has informed the municipalities that the work will be delayed until October. This was said today by the mayor of Štěměchy, Marie Báňová.
     "We are very disappointed. Even the weather at that time here in Vysočina is not exactly ideal for the opening act. The public is looking forward to the construction," said Báňová. The lookout tower is being prepared jointly by seven surrounding municipalities. The project, with costs around seven million crowns, is subsidized by the union. Construction work began this spring and is being carried out by the company Lavimont.
     On the hill, which has an elevation of 711 meters, a nine-meter high concrete base has already been built for the lookout tower. The stonemasons have now completed its cladding. The delay is due to the installation of other structures. The main part of the lookout tower will consist of steel and wooden structures that are being manufactured in a hall. They will then be transported to the construction site and assembled with the help of a crane.
     The spiral steel staircase is already prepared, but the carpenter's structure is missing. "The contractor caught us a bit off guard; this couldn't be monitored on the construction site," noted Báňová. She added that the contract with the construction company includes penalties that the municipalities will enforce to some extent. "We'll see how everything turns out, including the quality of the work," she remarked.
     On Mařenka hill, which is the highest point in the Třebíč region, there was a lookout tower until the mid-20th century when it collapsed during a storm. The municipalities have been striving for its restoration for about 12 years. Last year, the Mikroregion Podhůří Mařenky, which connects Rokytnici nad Rokytnou, Markvartice, Předín, Štěměchy, Čáslavice, Římov, and Chlístov, secured three million crowns from European funds for this construction.