In České Budějovice, the effort to build the Kaplický Rejnok has been renewed

České Budějovice - The South Bohemian Society of Friends of Music (JSPH) has revived the idea of building the Antonín Dvořák Concert and Congress Center, known as the Ray. The project was halted last autumn before the elections by the České Budějovice city hall. The chairman of JSPH, Antonín Kazil, stated today that he feels more support from the new city hall leadership. The construction, estimated at around two billion crowns, was designed by the late architect Jan Kaplický.
    "The Ray has not fallen asleep, even though it seemed that way. We are continuing to work on the project, which still has a valid zoning decision, and we want to introduce it to the new city council. We would like to start designing the documentation for the building permit this year," Kazil told reporters.
    The previous city hall leadership halted the preparations due to uncertainties regarding the investor. According to Kazil, the project will now seek support from the European IROP funding program. This could potentially cover up to a third of the estimated amount.
    The city hall leadership has not yet specifically addressed the issue of the Ray's construction. "But I personally support Mr. Kazil in this, and I agree that České Budějovice needs a concert hall. Although I admit that there are still many questions, and we must honestly consider how large an investment is realistic for such a construction," said the Deputy Mayor for Culture, Jaromír Talíř (KDU-ČSL).
    The Ray received a zoning decision in 2013. The construction should take place on an area of several tens of thousands of square meters in the site of the former barracks in the Čtyři Dvory district.
    Kaplický's design for the concert center in České Budějovice was significant. During the creation of the study, he consulted with prominent musicians and visited similar facilities in Europe. With his team Future Systems, Kaplický designed a black, wavy structure reminiscent of a ray for Budějovice. It is expected to include, among other things, two halls and a library.