The city of Aš will consider whether to repair the former cultural center with the subsidy

Aš - The town of Aš in the Cheb region has received a grant of 54 million crowns for the reconstruction of the former cultural center on Karlova Street into a community center. The remaining portion of the costs would have to be covered by the thirteen-thousand-strong town from its budget. Given the anticipated costs exceeding 150 million crowns, it would be the largest investment next year. Whether the reconstruction of the landmark will take place will be discussed by the city council and the assembly, spokesman for the town hall Milan Vrbata informed ČTK.

The new city leadership is currently preparing the budget for next year. Although it was prepared by the former town hall, the current mayor Vítězslav Kokoř (ANO) stated that they do not plan to cancel the prepared investments. However, they still need to consider the reconstruction of the cultural center. A condition for the grant is to start the reconstruction already next year. Additionally, the project must be pre-financed in the full amount of 150 million crowns. Aš is still missing 157 million crowns, which it had deposited with the Russian bank Sberbank, which has closed its branches in the Czech Republic. This amount was accounted for large investments.

Aš has been preparing the reconstruction and use of the listed building of the former cultural center for several years. Now the opportunity has arisen thanks to the grant. "After the complete renovation, a community center is to be created here, where various associations and non-profit organizations will find their base. The modernized large hall will be available for hosting balls, and it could also be used as a gym, while a smaller concert hall will be used for hosting more intimate cultural events," said the spokesman.

The city would have the theater hall demolished, replacing it with an atrium with outdoor seating. The project also plans for a clubroom - a socially therapeutic workshop - in the former video club area on the ground floor. Clubrooms with facilities are projected in the front part of the building, and on the first floor, there will be spaces for non-profit organizations. The plan includes all installations, air conditioning, and also acoustics, which are poor in the large hall.

The building was constructed in 1912 by the Gymnastic Association as a community house with a gym, offices, a clubroom, and a pub. The building, in the style of geometric art nouveau, was likely designed by the local builder Ernst Hausner. After 1925, a one-year school in the spirit of the Turner movement was established here, which was a German physical culture movement with a national subtext. The gym also hosted the later war criminal Konrád Henlein as a physical education teacher for the local association to which the building belonged.