The Karlovy Vary Region will take over the preparation of the repairs of the Imperial Spa

photo: www.karlovy-vary.cz

Karlovy Vary - The Karlovy Vary Region will take over the preparation for the reconstruction of the Imperial Spa. It will also become the legal successor of the association of the region and the city of Karlovy Vary, which has so far had the national cultural monument on loan. However, this may also mean a revision of the reconstruction project, said the governor Jana Vildumetzová (ANO) to ČTK.

"The next steps will involve familiarization with all the documents and the project. A building permit has already been issued for the revised project. However, we must evaluate all alternatives and also talk to the public. The current project is more focused on tourism; it includes, for example, apartments," stated Vildumetzová.

However, if there is a chance of obtaining a grant to cover most of the reconstruction costs, which are estimated to rise to 600 million, the building should not be commercially utilized. This would mean further revision of the project. One of the options being considered is the relocation of the basic art school to the Imperial Spa building, the governor hinted.

Although the city of Karlovy Vary has withdrawn from the joint association, its mayor Petr Kulhánek (KOA) stated that the promises of co-financing and the city's share of operational costs still stand.

"We will now meet with the governor and discuss what will follow. Whether there will be further discussions about the use of the Imperial Spa, whether there will be a need to change the project, and so on," Kulhánek told ČTK.

It had been anticipated that the region would contribute 200 million crowns for the reconstruction, the city 100 million, the Integrated Territorial Development Program (IPRÚ) about 130 million, and the rest would be provided by the state.

However, the European Commission has reassessed the existing rule that a single project could receive a maximum of five million euros (about 135 million crowns). This would mean that the contribution from the IPRÚ could also increase, which would significantly save money for the city and the region. According to Kulhánek, however, it will first be necessary to incorporate the new rules into the legislation of the Czech Republic, which could take at least a year.