Jeseník was unable to secure a loan for the aquapark for the second time

Jeseník - Jeseník was unable to secure the necessary loan from the banks for the construction of the aquapark even on the second attempt. The negotiations by the mayor for a loan of 50 million Czech crowns once again ended unsuccessfully, as the banks are unwilling to participate in financing the project under the given conditions. Representatives of the city will attempt to resolve the situation by issuing promissory notes and changing the selection criteria. However, the councilors must decide on this step. The aquapark, valued at 200 million Czech crowns, has been planned by the city for many years, and the selection procedure has already been initiated. However, the question of securing funding has halted the entire project.
    The city attempted to obtain a loan while the selection procedure was still open. After receiving no offers, the council decided to approach the banks directly in a negotiation process without publication. "The negotiation process is still ongoing, but today it seems that it also will not be successful. From the banks' perspective, a repayment period of 15 years is unusually long for them. They usually argue that securing the loan with the construction alone is insufficient," said Mayor Marie Fomiczewová (ČSSD) to ČTK.
    According to the mayor, there is still a possibility of using a so-called promissory note program, which would help the city until a new open selection procedure. This could then set more favorable conditions for the banks. However, according to the mayor, the path of the promissory note program is unusual for cities the size of Jeseník. "It's a proposal that came at the last moment. It would mean that the city issues promissory notes and receives temporary funds from investors; however, cities of our size do not usually do this. Some municipalities have chosen this route, but cities our size have no experience with it," the mayor added. She mentioned that the councilors will discuss it on January 23.
    Originally, Jeseník councilors halted the plan to build an aquapark in the city due to financial issues at the end of November. However, in December, they reopened the path after an appeal from the regional chamber of commerce and the Association of Towns and Municipalities of Jeseník. According to them, a tourist center like Jeseník cannot do without an aquapark. Representatives of surrounding towns and municipalities are also lobbying for the project.
    The city has been preparing the aquapark for several years, investing about 20 million Czech crowns into its preparation. Jeseník is set to receive nearly 80 million Czech crowns for the construction from European funds, and additional funds are to be obtained from donations and sales of municipal assets; the remaining 50 million Czech crowns was meant to be covered by the loan from the bank. The aquapark must be completed by March 2015, or the city will lose European subsidies. Without them, the construction is inconceivable.