In the Spring Colonnade, it will be necessary to replace the ceilings above the spring

Karlovy Vary - The work on repairing the emergency state of the Hot Spring Colonnade is continuing in Karlovy Vary. In addition to the reconstruction of technology, flooring, and glass walls of the hall above the Hot Spring, it will also be necessary to replace the concrete ceilings of the hall. Petr Bursík (ODS), the Deputy Mayor, told ČTK. The total repair costs will be higher than the original estimate.

"A spatial scaffold has been constructed, and the ceiling is being removed. This is beyond what we anticipated, but when probes were made, the structural engineer found that the load-bearing structure of the ceiling is already in such a condition that it is dangerous. There are 70 tons of concrete above people's heads," described Bursík.

The repairs to the Hot Spring Colonnade consist of several interconnected parts. One concerns the so-called krenotechnology, which ensures the removal of gases from the mineral water. Instead of a temporary repair, a completely new technology will be implemented, which Bursík estimates will cost 13.8 million crowns.

The second part of the work concerns the structural components of the building. The underground spaces of the colonnade that have been damaged by mineral water and gases will be completely secured, and there will be a new floor between the technological facilities underground and the hall with the Hot Spring. Another part of the repairs will be in the hall above the Hot Spring, which is already closed to the public for safety reasons.

Initially, the city allocated about 26 million crowns for the repairs of the Hot Spring Colonnade. With the additional costs for the new krenotechnology, the granite flooring of the hall with the Hot Spring, and the ceiling replacements, the total costs are now about 40 million crowns.

The emergency state of the colonnade with the iconic spout of the Hot Spring threatened not only the colonnade from the 1970s but also the distribution of hot spring water to the spa facilities. The hot spring water is indeed the basis of spa treatment in Karlovy Vary, and a failure in its supply would jeopardize the entire spa system of the city.

According to Bursík, the rescue work should be completed by the start of the spa season in May next year, despite the additional work that will be necessary. What will happen next with the Hot Spring Colonnade and the surrounding area is not yet clear. However, the city council's resolution regarding the preparation of an architectural competition for a solution to the colonnade space still remains in effect.