Karlovy Vary and the region agreed on the procedure for the repairs of the Imperial Baths

The Imperial Spa is currently owned by the region. The memorandum primarily gives the city the authority to negotiate with heritage conservationists regarding the possible construction of the hall. The city councilors have already approved a budget of 150 million crowns for the project and construction. The reconstruction itself, without the hall, is expected to cost more than 600 million crowns, with costs to be shared by the region, the state, and the city. Regional representatives are now discussing that the long-delayed repair could begin by the end of the year.

"We would like to proceed in such a way that a tender is announced for the contractor for the study and project documentation to be discussed with the heritage conservation authorities regarding the construction of the concert hall. We would like to have the project prepared by the end of the year. Of course, there will also be coordination with the region," Kulhánek stated.

According to the Governor of the Karlovy Vary Region, Jana Vildumetzová (ANO), the region will begin preparations and the implementation of the reconstruction according to the original project, which does not include the concert hall. If the construction can be initiated by the end of the year, work should start on the front part of the building, where the representative spaces are located, such as the famous Zander Hall.

The placement of a fully functional concert hall for the needs of the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra has so far encountered the negative stance of heritage conservationists. All previous proposals involved interventions in the former baths of the Imperial Spa. However, the baths are considered one of the most valuable elements of the building from the perspective of heritage conservation.