Příbram could obtain a grant for the reconstruction of the aqua park

Příbram - Příbram has hope that it will receive a grant for a less costly reconstruction of the aquapark. Initially, the city wanted to significantly rebuild the swimming complex, but ultimately backed down from this, also due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The new project is intended to be much more economical. According to Deputy Mayor Martin Buršík (ANO), this has strengthened the chances of obtaining a grant because it will increase the efficiency of costs incurred for energy savings.

"We obviously want to apply for grants, they are practically always in play. If it were the smaller version, where we would only repair the pool as it is, we would have a much greater chance of obtaining a grant, because the percentage energy savings of the existing pool compared to the total cost of reconstruction is much higher than if we reconstructed the pool in the largest variant," Buršík said to reporters today.

On Monday, the councilors halted work on preparing the reconstruction in the most extensive variant. The project, according to Mayor Jan Konvalinka (for ANO), has swollen too much, and its cost would exceed half a billion crowns, which would be irresponsible given the current situation. The city council is to present a new project of smaller scope that will be cheaper. According to Buršík, discussions about the new design of the project will take place on Wednesday at a meeting of the city leadership with councilors.

The new project is to be cheaper according to Konvalinka, but mainly it should also have lower operating costs. He considers it necessary to primarily replace the technology and improve the insulation of the building. "We will aim for a facility that is as passive as possible, utilizing alternative energy sources, such as solar energy and the like. We want a facility that will primarily serve for swimming purposes, swimming education in schools, swimming clubs, and competitive swimming," the mayor stated.

The original project included, among other things, the extension of a relaxation and sauna world and the expansion of the pool hall with more swimming lanes. This, according to Konvalinka, is now a thing of the past. "We don’t want to build (an aquapark) like Čestlice here, but we want a normal city swimming pool," he said. The reconstruction is to be much more restrained, although it will also include the construction of saunas, whirlpools, and a paddling pool for children. "We will try to keep everything under one roof so that we do not have to fundamentally change the layout of the building," the mayor added.