Příbram has halted work on the preparation of the aquapark reconstruction

Příbram - Příbram has halted work on the preparation of an extensive reconstruction of the aquapark. This decision was made today by the councilors. According to Mayor Jan Konvalinka (for ANO), the project has grown too large, and its cost could exceed half a billion crowns, which would be irresponsible in the current situation. The city council is to present a new project that will be smaller in scope and cheaper.

The mayor wanted to present the proposal to halt the project even before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the expected decline in revenue related to the coronavirus crisis, he believes his arguments are now even more compelling. He pointed out that the city hall leadership is responsible for the economic health of the city, even in the years after the end of their term. Therefore, he proposed to abandon the plan for reconstruction in the most extensive planned variant.

"Knowing that the building of the aquapark, including its technology, is in a terminal state, we want to immediately start work on a smaller-scale reconstruction. Let's call it a reconstruction into the form of a functional facility with a small addition," stated Konvalinka.

Among the main reasons, according to the mayor, is the confusing and unclear situation around the announcement of the public procurement. Due to media reports and various legal speculations, the city has become an untrustworthy business partner, and suppliers did not want to invest funds in preparing the documents for submitting bids. There was a risk of disinterest from construction companies. "With further adjustments to the procurement conditions, we would only be wasting precious time during which the aquapark would continue to deteriorate," believes Konvalinka.

He reminded that discussions about the reconstruction of the Příbram aquapark have been ongoing since 2014 and a large number of meetings have taken place, including public opinion surveys. From the proposed options for renewal, the councilors previously selected one that included an extension of the relaxation and sauna area and an expansion of the swimming hall with additional swimming lanes. At the time of the decision, the price, according to Konvalinka, should not have exceeded 250 million crowns. The costs for project documentation and the preparation of the procurement reached several million crowns.

Recently, the extensive reconstruction has been opposed by the Příbram ODS, which called it unrealistic and megalomanic. The Pirates also joined the criticism. Representatives of the opposition welcomed today's proposal and called it reasonable. Former mayor Jindřich Vařeka (ANO), under whom the project began preparation, stated that if the coronavirus had not come, the councilors' decision would not have been so categorical. He expressed regret that the city is condemning itself to a project that he believes is outdated. "We will have a few swimming lanes with cold water," he declared.