Karviná is preparing a reconstruction of the swimming pool for 400 million crowns

Karviná - Karviná wants to start an extensive reconstruction of the indoor swimming pool in the near future, which is expected to cost around 400 million crowns. The city has already chosen the contractor for the reconstruction, which will be funded from its own budget. CTK was informed today by the spokesperson of the municipality, Lukáš Hudeček. However, part of the opposition criticizes the construction, considering it unnecessarily expensive.

"We have selected the contractor for the construction and prepared the financial coverage for the entire reconstruction. I believe that the construction will start in a short time,” said Mayor Jan Wolf (ČSSD).

The modernization will take more than two years and, according to the mayor, will be technologically demanding. In addition to repairing the indoor swimming pool itself, there are plans to build a wellness area, a recreational zone, and a sauna world.

The indoor swimming pool is managed by the municipal company STaRS Karviná. According to its director, Petr Dyszkiewicz, it is necessary to wait for the expiration of the deadline for appeals from unsuccessful bidders for the reconstruction, and then a contract with the winning contractor can be signed. "After the contract is signed, the handover of the construction site will follow, and the long-awaited reconstruction of the indoor swimming pool can realistically begin,” Dyszkiewicz stated.

The pool is already ready for reconstruction, as it has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the swimming pool tanks have already been drained. "The company STaRS Karviná is carrying out all liquidation work so that the contractor can start work as soon as possible,” Hudeček noted. According to him, the city allocated 280 million crowns for the swimming pool renovation several years ago, but costs have since increased, prompting the councilors to decide on the transfer of an additional 118 million crowns for the pool reconstruction.

However, some opposition councilors criticize the modernization. They consider this investment risky for the budget and claim it is wasteful. They also point out that the entire amount for the construction is being provided by the city from its own reserves without any subsidies, which they consider a risk during the coronavirus crisis. According to Petr Letocha (STAN), the architectural design is also outdated and does not account for energy-saving technologies. "For comparison, we can look at Opava, where a new aquapark will be built for 350 million crowns in a modern design and also in an energy-efficient form. Their project cannot be compared to ours,” said opposition councilor Zuzana Klusová (Piráti).