Plzeň Region will show to the public for the first time the study of the rehabilitation of the 30-year dilapidated spa in Plzeň.

Plzeň - The Plzeň Region will introduce an architectural study for the adaptation and reconstruction of the deteriorating city baths in Plzeň through a panel exhibition on Tuesday. The listed building from 1931 has been unused for nearly 30 years. The region purchased it last October for 120 million CZK and will invest 1.5 to 1.7 billion CZK into its reconstruction. CTK was informed by Governor Rudolf Špoták (Pirates). The exhibition will take place in front of the West Bohemian Museum in Kopeckého Sady.

The region plans to create a multicultural center in the building - the West Bohemian Gallery, as well as a hall, club rooms, and offices for regional and non-profit organizations. The region has not announced an architectural competition for the valuable building and assigned the study of one of the largest constructions directly to the team from the Prague studio of Eva Heyworth. They aimed to expedite the process. However, this decision was criticized in an open letter to the region by about thirty architects. They were dissatisfied that the region did not hold an architectural competition for the valuable bath building.

"The exhibition will present the architectural study that we had developed. It is the cornerstone for the reconstruction and will serve as the basis for further related documentation," stated the governor. People will see visualizations and a video that covers the entire planned construction.

As the investor and project initiator, the region is prepared for opposition to the study. "I highly value the connection between the old bath building and the modern pavilion of the West Bohemian Gallery. Elements of very modern architecture are used there, which sensitively connect and complement the historic building," stated Špoták.

According to the governor, the review process by heritage conservationists has not yet concluded. "We are addressing some details regarding the historically protected building," he stated. According to him, it will be possible to incorporate comments into the planned project. "But we firmly believe that the reconstruction will be implemented in 95 percent of the form as it is currently proposed," he added.

For the restoration of the baths, the region has chosen the Design&Build method, in which the winning contractor will design and build. The procurement procedure will be announced in the first half of next year. "I firmly believe that by the end of 2024, the contract will be signed and construction should begin no later than the spring of 2025, lasting two to 2.5 years. The opening could take place in mid-2027," Špoták stated.

The estimated costs of the reconstruction are currently 1.5 to 1.7 billion CZK, according to the study. The exact price will be determined from the bids of the competitors and will be known in the second half of next year. The region is trying to negotiate subsidies for energy savings from the Ministry of Culture, which were initially intended for a new gallery building at a different location in Plzeň, which the current regional leadership does not want to construct.

A contract for the demolition of the rear annex of the boiler room and steam system is already in the process of being signed, which will begin in the early months of next year.

The exhibition will be opened by the regional leadership on Tuesday at 4:00 PM. "The panels will present to the public the new use of the building, mainly for the needs of the West Bohemian Gallery, and other cultural and movement associations, as well as other possibilities for social activities," stated regional spokesperson Helena Frintová.