In the competition for the design of a new medical school in Liberec, 27 applicants have registered.

Liberec - A total of 27 applicants have registered for the architectural and urban planning competition for the design of a new medical school in Liberec. Filip Trdla, spokesperson for the Liberec Region, told ČTK today that the construction of the new complex, estimated at around 760 million crowns, is being prepared. The competition is in two rounds, with a maximum of six proposals advancing to the second round. The construction of the school will be just the first phase of the project, which also includes plans for a dormitory and an outdoor sports facility.

The secondary medical school in Liberec is located in a historic building of a former church school in the city center, which has inadequate capacity, and in about five other buildings, most of which are rented. "Given the significant investments in regional healthcare, we will also need educated and motivated mid-level healthcare staff, which is why we need a new building with greater capacity within walking distance of the Liberec Regional Hospital," added Governor Martin Půta (Mayors for the Liberec Region).

The competition aims to provide a project and conceptual solution for the development of the school campus on Jablonecká Street near the Broumovská housing estate, where the medical school is set to relocate. Currently, a secondary vocational school operates there, but the land provides enough space for further construction. According to the governor, around 400 students are currently studying healthcare fields in Liberec, and capacity in the new complex could potentially increase by up to half. The region plans to build a modern energy self-sufficient complex to passive standard. Construction is expected to start in 2026.

According to Půta, healthcare fields are a priority for the region, and in previous years he has explored other options for relocating the school from the inadequate premises rented from the city of Liberec. He considered using the building of the former Skloexport or one of the vacated buildings of the regional hospital, where a new Urgent Care Center is being built for four billion crowns. "However, from the perspective of converting it into a school, it is not ideal," he added. The region is also investing in the medical school in Turnov, where it is building a center for vocational education focused on healthcare and social services for over 50 million crowns.