Karlovy Vary and the region will prepare the reconstruction of the Imperial Baths together

photo: www.karlovy-vary.cz

Karlovy Vary - The Karlovy Vary Region and Karlovy Vary have agreed on a joint approach for the preparation of the reconstruction of the Imperial Spa. The regional organization, the Imperial Spa, will take over the management of the building. The region and the city will also negotiate together about the possibility of obtaining a larger grant for the repair of the building, said Mayor Petr Kulhánek (KOA) and Governor Jana Vildumetzová (ANO) to reporters today.

Today's agreement could pave the way for the reconstruction, estimated at 550 million crowns, to begin at the end of this year or in the first months of next year. The agreement also seems to end disputes over who will actually repair the Imperial Spa. Disagreements were further inflamed during a recent visit by President Miloš Zeman, who criticized the mayor for the unrenovated spa and stated that the building was co-owned by the city until February. However, the city transferred it to the region back in 2008. Kulhánek defended himself against the president's criticism. "From my perspective, it's a kick below the belt, regardless of where that information came from. Those who know me are aware of how many years and time I have dedicated to preparing the reconstruction," the mayor told ČTK at the time.

According to today's agreement, all obligations and responsibilities of the ending interest association of legal entities, which included the city and the region and which had previously borrowed the national heritage buildings, will transfer to the regional organization that the region established years ago, but which has not been active.

"The mayor and I have agreed on a coordinated reconstruction," Vildumetzová stated. For example, the city will have a representative on the selection committee that will choose the director of the regional organization. "We agreed that we will initiate negotiations with the Ministry for Regional Development as soon as possible. We need to know under what conditions it is possible to obtain money for the entire reconstruction and whether the project will need to be adjusted," Vildumetzová added.

Kulhánek added that as soon as the ministry says the current project is in order, it will be possible to complete the selection process, which was halted after public discussion. However, if the region has to adjust the project due to accessing European grants, it would be necessary to call for a tender again, which would delay the start of work.

The region and the city also agreed that the future operating costs of the Imperial Spa would be shared equally between the region and the city.