Masaryk University will decide on the purchase of the Scala cinema building once it knows its condition

Brno - Masaryk University in Brno is awaiting the completion of an investigation that will determine the exact condition of the building that previously housed the university cinema Scala and Bolka Polívka Theatre, following the city’s offer to purchase the property. It is currently unclear whether the university is for or against the purchase, said university rector Martin Bareš today to ČTK. A structural survey of the building between Moravské and Jakubské squares revealed serious defects, preventing the cinema and theatre from resuming operations after the summer vacation. The city, which owns the building and leases it to the institutions, offered the university on Wednesday to purchase the property for one koruna.

"The possibility was verbally mentioned during a meeting with the mayor. However, we have not yet received a written offer, and I do not know the actual condition of the building, so I cannot say either no or yes. I am waiting for the wording of the letter stating what exactly is the subject of the purchase and for the completion of the work that will clarify the condition of the building. Until the actual state is known, and thus also the estimated costs for the overall reconstruction, I cannot comment on it. However, that does not mean that we are not having discussions about this topic at the university," said Bareš. If the university purchases the building, it will have to invest in its repair.

The structural and technical survey began with the first phase on July 1 and will last until the end of September. The second phase of the survey is set to continue from January next year. The meeting between the rector and Mayor Markéta Vaňková (ODS) also addressed the issue of alternative space for university activities, as the cinema hall hosted conferences and ceremonial events in addition to lectures. The school is still waiting for an offer of adequate spaces. According to Bareš, the mayor ruled out the possibility of the university operating in the White House as Bolka Polívka Theatre does.

The university has also reached out to the Ministry of Culture regarding the situation and is in talks with the tourist information center to provide Kino Art for morning classes. "However, we are aware that this is a cinema with a specific program, its own dramaturgy, and audience background, and we do not intend to and do not want to interfere with its operation," added bursar Marta Valešová.

The city owns the building between Jakubské and Moravské squares. The structure was built almost 100 years ago. It is a reinforced concrete building that corresponds to the construction and material solutions of its time. During preparations for the roof reconstruction, experts found cracks, whose age and danger were initially uncertain. In February, instruments began to monitor the cracks, allowing both institutions to complete the season. The summer structural and technical survey showed that there are also problems with load-bearing columns at the ceiling level above the cinema.