Lázně Kyselka should become the counterpart to Karlovy Vary

Kyselka (Karlovy Vary region) - In 10 to 15 years, the public benefit company Lázně Kyselka aims to build a counterpart to the large spa of Karlovy Vary in nearby Kyselka, which it has owned since last March, restoring and wishing to operate most of the devastated spa buildings. From spring, it plans to conduct guided tours, thereby involving the public in monitoring the renovations that began last year, and it also wants to attract donors. This was stated by the chairman of the board of the company, Vladimír Lažanský.
    "Since something has been happening here, the number of people is incredible. It's good to show it now and tell them that one day this will be an attractive tourist destination. That's Kyselka's ambition. Not to create a thriving spa, although I do not rule it out in 20 years when the social climate changes and people start thinking differently," said the chairman. According to him, after the completion of the restoration of the entire complex, including the spa park and surroundings, Kyselka should emerge as a counterpart to the Karlovy Vary spas, where, according to the company, not everything is in order, for example from an architectural point of view. "We have the ambition to carefully operate these former pleasant spas from the late 19th century," he stated. A restaurant, accommodation, concert, and congress halls will be established in Kyselka.
    The renovation of eight buildings in Kyselka is expected to cost 300 to 400 million CZK. Last year, the company invested 3.5 million CZK into the restoration, and this year it plans at least 18.5 million CZK, which it has from last year. "If we can secure 50 million, we will use it," said Lažanský. Last year, they managed to stabilize the buildings, clear them out, and cut back invasive plants. Currently, projects for the restoration of both the houses and the park, which previously had 48 kilometers of walking paths, are being developed. The company will be ready to apply for EU funds in 2015 and will also approach large companies for sponsorship this year.
    According to Lažanský, the company will only select smaller local firms for the restoration. "We want to establish a small construction site and are hiring skilled craftsmen. We want to have about 20 people. Only workers from the region will participate in the restoration," said the company's director, Miroslav Perout.
    "Since last year, people have been strolling here every day, and they are very interested," said the mayor of Kyselka, Aleš Labík. The municipality, with 800 residents, wants to symbolically contribute to the spa restoration this year in the tens of thousands of CZK. The mayor anticipates that the population will increase. In the municipality, which is set to become a quiet satellite of Karlovy Vary, there are two locations for the construction of 45 family houses. "One is fully serviced, and the developer is looking for buyers for the plots. In one, two houses are already under construction," he added. The municipality will promote events happening within it more this year. They have repaired the cinema, which is a former drinking pavilion. They will also offer it as presentation space for seminars. This year, they will begin expanding the park by the cinema, where a spa gazebo will be created. There are three healing springs in the village - Ottův, Jindřichův, and Löschnerův.
    The public benefit company plans to organize charity events from summer that should bring in the main portion of funds for the restoration of the spa. They have a 3.5-hour concert planned.