Poříčany are preparing to complete the construction of a primary school, the proposal will arise from an architectural competition

Poříčany – Poříčany in the Kolín region are planning an expansion of the elementary school, primarily due to the unsatisfactory condition of the kitchen and dining room. In October, the municipality announced an architectural competition, with construction potentially starting within two to three years. The estimated costs for the largest investment project in Poříčany are 110 million crowns. The municipality is counting on utilizing various types of grants and loans, and is also prepared to negotiate co-funding with neighboring municipalities, said Mayor Hana Teršová.

"The condition of the utility building from the 1980s, which houses the dining service for the elementary and preschool, is particularly unsatisfactory,” Teršová said. The original building of the Poříčany school is 90 years old, with additional parts constructed gradually.

"We have gradually moved from the original idea of merely renovating the existing utility building to a comprehensive view of the entire school complex,” the mayor added. The project will include not only a larger dining operation but also a small gymnasium, core and specialized classrooms, and facilities. The school's capacity will increase from the current 290 to 360 students due to the expansion.

"The goal is to select a design that connects well with the original buildings, provides functional operational solutions, and at the same time is economically reasonable for the municipality,” Teršová stated.

The school in Poříčany serves several surrounding municipalities. "Although we do not expect a dramatic demographic boom directly in Poříčany, indicators for the Českobrodska area predict a significant increase in population in the coming decades, so we want to create some reserve,” the mayor added.

Submissions for the one-round architectural competition are being accepted until January 10, with a total of 900,000 crowns available in prizes. In addition to representatives from the municipality, three independent architects will be on the jury, and the winning design is to be presented to the public in February. Teršová estimates the design work will take about two years.

"If everything goes well, construction could begin at the turn of 2026/2027. However, it will depend on the complexity of the permitting process and the availability of financial resources,” she added.