New booth by the dam in Jablonec offers refreshments, toilets, and storage boxes

Jablonec nad Nisou - A new stand in the U Prutu area by the Mšeno dam in Jablonec nad Nisou offers refreshments with seating, as well as restrooms, a cloakroom, or lockable boxes for storing belongings. This side of the popular water reservoir lacked facilities with year-round operational toilets, said Deputy Mayor Petr Roubíček (ODS) to journalists during today's grand opening. The restrooms are independent of the stand's operation and are freely accessible daily from 9:00 to 22:00 during the summer season. In case of an event, it will be possible to extend the opening hours.

The Mšeno dam is a popular swimming spot not only for the 45,000 residents of Jablonec but attracts people from a wide surrounding area. On hot days, up to 5,000 people head there daily. However, the facilities are inadequate and varied, which is expected to change. Three years ago, Marek Přikryl from the Prokš Přikryl architects studio won an architectural competition for a new design of the facilities with the idea of using wooden modules to give the facilities a uniform appearance.

The first of the modular stands was supposed to be completed in April, but the city received it from the construction company Development only at the end of July. According to Deputy Mayor Jakub Chuchlík (Pirates), the company was fined nearly 1.4 million crowns for the delay. The refreshment stand has been fully operational since Monday, with the city paying over 12 million crowns for it. According to the deputy mayor, two more buildings are planned for the next season, with Jablonec allocating 26 million crowns in its budget for them.

According to architect Přikryl, the goal was to visually connect and unify the area around the dam and integrate it into the landscape with minimal intervention. "All buildings are uniform in that they face the water, each has a covered porch that connects the entire interior into one whole. They have characteristic doors that should announce from afar whether they are open or closed," described the common elements of the buildings, the project author said. All modular buildings will feature a light interior that contrasts with the dark facade.

The stand is now open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 during the summer season, and there will be shorter hours for refreshments in winter. The operator, KFKS GASTRO, offers beer, non-alcoholic and mixed drinks, as well as salads, and promises hot drinks and soup for the colder months. "We will strive to offer modern gastronomy in the form of street food from fresh ingredients, and in the future, we will adjust the offer according to public feedback," said refreshment operator František Kozel.

The other two new buildings are to be constructed by the dam before the start of next summer season. The preparation of the new buildings, which will provide all the services intended for that location, is linked with the construction of new restrooms. According to Chuchlík, the current ones are in a non-compliant state. "The new ones will be above the base facility and in the cove by the pool, where there will also be a seasonal refreshment stand," Chuchlík added. Another building is then expected to grow in the third phase under the Povodí Labe building.