The Janáček Theatre in Brno needs a roof repair in addition to the interior

Brno - Brno must repair the roof of the Janáček Theatre. Its poor condition was revealed by the plan to install new air conditioning that cannot fit inside the building. The current roof would not support it. The planned reconstruction of the theatre for 600 million crowns will thus increase by an additional 50 million, said the mayor’s deputy Richard Mrázek (ANO) to journalists today. According to him, all work will take place in one phase starting in April next year and will last 14 months. Artists will perform in other venues, such as the Mahen Theatre.

The city has been preparing the reconstruction of the theatre's interior for 600 million for some time. However, it then revealed problems with the roof. "The poor technical condition of the roof was discovered while positioning the new air conditioning, for which there is no space in the theatre's facilities. Therefore, it will be on the roof. Its reconstruction was not included in the work because it was last repaired in 2005. It is a pity that only the outer covering was repaired then, not the entire supporting structure," Mr. Mrázek said.

According to him, the poor technical condition of the roof may be due to the structural layer, which is made of concrete prefabricated roof slabs. They will be replaced by a different structure that has sufficient load-bearing capacity for suspended elements.

In addition, there are plans to expand the sanitary facilities, modernize the interiors and spectator areas, including the reconstruction of the buffets. The operational areas of the theatre, staff facilities, and stage technology will be repaired. New heating, water supply, sewage, electricity, and air conditioning systems or backbone distribution and energy centers of the building are also planned. The access and parking areas to the operational part of the theatre will also be repaired.

The first part of the renovation of the building, costing more than 40 million crowns, was completed last summer, which included the façade and stage drives. The planned reconstruction of the Janáček Theatre means greater utilization for the Mahen Theatre in the next two seasons, where opera and ballet productions will move during the repairs.