The renovation of the Imperial Spa in Karlovy Vary is becoming complicated, funds are lacking

Karlovy Vary - The reconstruction of the Imperial Spa in Karlovy Vary is becoming complicated due to a lack of funds. The project to save the historical building, with total costs of up to 750 million crowns, was to be subsidized by the European Union. However, there is not enough money in the operational program for infrastructure development to cover part of the costs and still leave funds for other applicants in the region. This was stated today by Deputy Mayor Tomáš Hybner (ČSSD).
    The Imperial Spa was purchased last July by the Karlovy Vary region from the city with the understanding that it would be easier to access EU funds. However, after the elections, the leadership changed and the new governor, Josef Novotný (ČSSD), partially questioned the intention to save the spa when he told mayors from the region during a meeting that funding from the operational program should rather go to cities and municipalities. "We will see if there is a chance for some direct project in cooperation with Brussels," Novotný said.
    The project is not definitely lost yet, Hybner noted. The region has not yet officially notified the city that it does not wish to continue at all. Until that happens, there is no reason to succumb to skepticism, according to the deputy. He believes that the governor took the study for the restoration of the Imperial Spa with him on his current trip to Brussels. "We will definitely discuss this topic and look for ways to find financing for the spa," added Hybner.
    Former governor Josef Pavel (ODS), who initiated the project to save the Imperial Spa this year, considers the current development unfortunate. If the region does not reach an agreement with the city and withdraws from the restoration of the spa, one of the last chances to restore the building will fall through. "The region's idea that it is better to distribute an amount from the operational program among municipalities is wrong. It is rather a populist move," stated Pavel.
    The region acquired the Imperial Spa from Karlovy Vary for one percent of the estimated value of the property, including its equipment and land, which was set at approximately 194 million crowns, and for the payment of the property transfer tax. The remaining amount up to the estimate allows him to invest in the modernization of the property. The rest was to be paid with money from the EU. If the region did not obtain them and did not start the reconstruction within eight years, the spa would be transferred back to the city under the same conditions.
    The Imperial Spa was created according to Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer in 1895. Occasionally, filmmakers rented it. The Karlovy Vary region wanted to create not only a multifunctional hall in the building but also a representative exhibition for the regional museum. There were also plans for facilities for the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra. The original project of the region also anticipated that the building would serve the needs of the international film festival.