Kolín plans to repair the facade of the gymnasium building

Kolín - Kolín plans to repair the facade of the gymnasium building on Žižková Street next year. This year is dedicated to project preparations. According to Deputy Mayor Michael Kašpar (STAN), the documentation will cost over half a million crowns. The actual repair will cost around 15 million crowns. However, these are just estimates; the former city architect estimated the repair costs could reach up to 25 million crowns.

"It is a building not protected as a monument, but architecturally very valuable," said Kašpar. Precisely because the building is not protected as a monument and is not in a conservation area, the costs will be covered from the city budget, as it is not possible to utilize a subsidy. According to Kašpar, the city commissioned the preparation of a non-binding offer from the Masák and partner office, which had already collaborated with Kolín on the repair of St. Bartholomew's Church. "We liked that offer so much that we decided to have this office design the repair, for which we granted an exception from the directive," he stated. According to him, it is a priority for the city that the repair is done with quality. "We don't want to go the route of someone winning the competition with the lowest price who perhaps has never done this kind of work before," added Kašpar.

The project also includes chemical analyses of the current plaster and aerial footage from a drone. "It is one of the most visible and interesting buildings in Kolín, therefore it deserves special care," said Kašpar.

The repair, according to the deputy mayor, will not cover the entire plaster surface, but only parts that are in the worst condition. Estimates suggest repairs will cover 15 to 50 percent of the surface. "The Masák and partner office estimated that the area requiring repair will be 20 to 30 percent," added Kašpar. Areas with the original facade will be finished with the same new facade, and bricks will also be sanded and frescoes restored.

The thirty-one thousand strong Kolín is managing with more than a billion crowns this year. Among the largest investments are the repair of the bus station costing about 60 million crowns and the reconstruction of the area around St. Bartholomew's Church for 90 million crowns.