The Šumperk councilors will decide on the fate of the cultural house on Thursday

Šumperk - The Šumperk city council will decide on the cultural house on Thursday. The only community center in the city is located in a building belonging to the Kovo Pramet trade union organization. The unionists are selling the building for financial reasons. If the city does not purchase the property, it would lose a venue that hosts not only balls but also the international festival Blues Alive. The price of the property has been set at 18 million crowns, and the city would have to invest additional millions into repairs.

The building belongs to the Kovo Pramet trade union association, but the land under the building is owned by the state. Due to pressures for the unionists to purchase the land or pay high rent, the unions decided to sell the house. The mayor of Šumperk, Zdeněk Brož, told ČTK that he cannot imagine Šumperk without the cultural house. "The unions offered the property, including furnishings, to the city for 18 million crowns. Moreover, there is an agreement that the amount could be paid in installments over a period of up to ten years, so it would be a minimal burden on the city's budget," the mayor stated.

Another investment involves land that the state is offering for six million crowns, according to the mayor. The city will also have to account for additional sums in the millions for repairs. "If we take over the house, we need to create a maintenance and repair plan. The local areas need urgent intervention," the mayor added. However, he noted that he cannot imagine an alternative other than purchasing the cultural house. "We would lose a hall that can accommodate up to 800 people. I don't know where else we would hold concerts, festivals, or balls," Brož added.

The building is currently home to the Dům kultury Šumperk company, which organizes cultural productions in Šumperk and events recognized throughout the country and abroad. This year, it received a two-year notice from the unionists. "We believe that the city will purchase the building. It is the only possible solution to transfer it to the city's ownership and for the city to start taking care of it," said Vladimír Rybička, the director and manager of Dům kultury Šumperk, to ČTK today. He reminded that there is no other venue in Šumperk that could host events of this kind.

The cultural house in Šumperk was built in 1980. Annually, dozens of events are held in the large hall, some of which have gained international prestige. It also hosts the Blues Alive festival, which is regarded as the most significant music showcase of its kind in Central Europe.