Pardubice is renovating schools in the summer for 140 million CZK, and modernizing the dome of the observatory

Pardubice – The city of Pardubice is repairing and modernizing schools and kindergartens during the summer holidays at a cost of nearly 140 million crowns. Construction work is ongoing at 28 sites, including school kitchens, specialized classrooms, electrical installations, restrooms, and technical equipment of the buildings. A new dome and telescope will also be installed at the observatory, the city hall stated in a press release.

One of the two largest holiday investments is the complete reconstruction of the school kitchen at the Waldorf School on Gorkého Street. The modernization will also bring barrier-free access. "The investment means practically a new operation, from structural modifications and new systems to modern gastronomic technologies and a new arrangement of individual workplaces," said Deputy Mayor Jan Hrabal (ANO).

This year, modernization also concerns specialized classrooms at two elementary schools. At the Štefánikova Elementary School, the physics, chemistry, and information technology classrooms will be renovated. They will receive new electrical installations, data cabling, IT infrastructure, and equipment. At the Prodloužená Elementary School, the city will renovate the biology, physics, chemistry, information technology classrooms, and workshops. The investment will also include a new barrier-free elevator and social facilities, Deputy Mayor Jakub Rychtecký (Žijeme Pardubice) stated.

An important investment this year is the reconstruction of the dome of the observatory of Baron Artur Kraus, which will also feature a new robotic telescope. The commencement of work was preceded by two unsuccessful tender processes. In the previous case, the city withdrew from the contract, among other reasons, because the company did not meet the set deadlines. A new contractor was successfully selected in the third tender. The work was originally scheduled to start in 2024.

"The modernization will improve the technical facilities of one of the most significant places for informal education in Pardubice and offer better conditions for astronomy clubs, recreational education, school programs, and outreach events for the public. We are nearing the finish line," said Miloš Adamů, director of the Center for Leisure Activities.

Work is also progressing in kindergartens. "In six of them, the original lighting is being replaced with modern energy-saving LED fixtures, which will reduce energy consumption and future operating costs. The electrical installations, sanitary facilities, and other technical parts of the buildings are also undergoing renovations," said Deputy Mayor Hrabal. Greater modernization is also taking place at the Odborářů Kindergarten, where the city is having the facilities for meal preparation and the pavilion with a special classroom for visually impaired children repaired.