The summer cinema in Č.Budějovice will likely transform into a multifunctional stage

České Budějovice - The Summer Cinema Háječek in České Budějovice is set for revitalization, despite initial indications at the beginning of the season that it would be permanently shut down. The city council has approved the submission for an architectural competition for the use of the area, which is expected to be completed by October 2012. By the following year, a multifunctional stage should already be operational there. Next year, films will once again be screened at the summer cinema after this year’s hiatus. This was announced to journalists today by Deputy Mayor Ivana Popelová (OPB).
    The city hall plans to announce a tender for the operation of the multifunctional cultural center. The cinema complex is still owned by the city and managed by the company Správa domů. The summer cinema, like the Kotva cinema, is under a long-term lease to Jan Turinský, with an annual notice period.
    This year, the city hall rejected the idea of subsidizing the loss-making summer cinema and instead invested in the modernization of Kotva. Before the 41st season, it announced that there would be no screenings. Annually, around 6000 people would visit the cinema from May to August. This year’s expected loss was estimated at 130,000 crowns. The closure of the cinema sparked a wave of discontent. A petition was signed by 1583 people within three months. A group of enthusiasts then presented a project for a new summer stage, Háječek, to the city hall.
    The project plans to utilize the cinema and the space under the auditorium, as well as the adjacent building of the former K-center and the park. Operations are planned to be year-round. Besides screenings, concerts and theater performances would take place there. Visitors would have access to a café and bar, a relaxation zone with a playground and a paddling pool, and a legal space for street art and graffiti, described entrepreneur Vladimír Matajs.
    The operation is expected to be economically self-sustaining. Operators would earn money from rentals, advertising, and sponsors. A music club would be established in the K-center. The summer cinema would screen older titles, and digitalization would not be necessary. The problem is that the city has already promised E.ON that it can build a corporate kindergarten in the former center for drug addicts. The building was originally constructed as a school cafeteria.
    There are six summer cinemas remaining in South Bohemia. Only the one in Černá v Pošumaví is considering digitalization. They want to preserve summer stages in Sezimovo Ústí in the Tábor region, in Prachatice, in Strakonice, and in Písek. There, they will try to modernize the summer cinema. However, there will be no money for digitalization.