The region is preparing the construction of a new car museum in Kopřivnice

Ostrava - The Moravian-Silesian Region wants to build a car museum in Kopřivnice in the Nový Jičín area, which would build on the successful exhibition of the Technical Museum. People could get acquainted with the history of Tatra car production. The regional deputies today approved a memorandum for mutual cooperation between the region, the town of Kopřivnice, and the company Tatra Trucks on this project, said Deputy Governor Lukáš Curylo (KDU-ČSL) to reporters.

"We would be happy if a museum could be established in the former production hall in Kopřivnice; it is a brownfield that is currently unused. We have secured funding from the European Union amounting to 123 million crowns," Curylo stated.

According to him, the museum should present the history of Tatra vehicle production, primarily trucks, which are currently stored in depots, preventing people from seeing them. "Unique museum exhibits, which Tatra has provided to the region for free use for thirty years, will be placed in the renovated building," Curylo added. The museum could welcome its first visitors in 2020.

The region plans to renovate the unused industrial hall, which is also in poor condition. "Therefore, we were looking for partners who would join us in this project, and during this renovation, we will also start to rehabilitate other related infrastructures or halls," Curylo stated.

According to him, Tatra Trucks should adapt the space for the famous motor vehicle Slovenská strela and the region intends to cooperate with the town on building access roads and a parking lot. The museum will be a branch of the regional contributory organization Museum of Nový Jičín.

The region already has the project documentation prepared. Next year, it plans to select a contractor for the construction. The museum in Kopřivnice is among the most visited museums in the region, attracting 90,000 to 100,000 visitors annually.