The Strakonice Cultural House may be expanded to include a theater hall

STRAKONICE - The city house of culture in Strakonice may expand to include a theater hall for 260 people. Today, the city council members became acquainted with the renovation project of the building and the addition of a new structure. However, the investment of at least 180 million crowns will remain only on paper for now. The city hall, with a half-billion budget, must first look for possible subsidies, said Mayor Pavel Vondrys.
"Of course, it's a large amount, corresponding to about half of the city's budget. But for the building permit and subsidy applications, it is necessary to first have a well-developed project," he added.
In the new two-story wing with glass areas, there should be facilities for artists and technical support, in addition to the hall. The multipurpose hall in the current building will continue to serve for music productions, balls, and discos. Access to the new building will remain through the current central entrance, and a parking lot for 45 cars will be created near the extension.
"For the existing house, I have leaned towards renewing the interiors, new facade, new windows, and insulation. In essence, its character from the 1960s should be preserved," said architect Jaromír Pizinger. If the city hall secures funding for construction, the work would last about a year, according to him.
"Concerts, theater performances, and other events could be moved during that time to the new cinema, a smaller cultural house in the Mír neighborhood, or other venues such as renting the Sokol hall," said Eva Dresslerová, director of the city cultural center.
The Strakonice house of culture has been operating without major repairs since the 1960s. In 1995, the city hall purchased it from the engineering company ČZ, to which the building belonged, and operates it through the city cultural center. Annually, 50,000 people attend theater performances, concerts, or balls, which is double the number of residents in Strakonice.