Mayor: The effort behind the opening of the Thermale pool was to showcase it

Karlovy Vary – The recent opening of the pool on the roof of the Thermal hotel, despite obvious unfinished work, was driven by the city's mayor and Thermal hotel board member Andrea Pfeffer Ferklová (ANO) in an effort to showcase the iconic pool as many people head to Karlovy Vary for the film festival. However, there were also significant economic reasons, she told reporters today. People, especially on social media, point out that the outdoor pool with a view of the city still has shortcomings. The surrounding pavement is unfinished, there is litter in the area, and construction noise. The pool has not yet received occupancy approval and is currently in a trial operation.

“The reason for the opening was that Saunia, which is the operator, also wanted the pool to be opened as soon as possible. So that it could be shown to the public, but also economically, to get things running since they have to pay rents,” said the mayor of Karlovy Vary to ČTK. The representative of Saunia could not be reached for comment by ČTK. Saunia operates several sauna centers in Prague, Brno, and other cities in the Czech Republic. The outdoor pool is a new addition for the company.

The pool on the roof of the Thermal had been closed for about seven years and had fallen into disrepair. It has now been renovated, and the entire Thermal hotel is undergoing extensive repairs. Although the pool itself is completed, work on the adjacent sauna center and restaurants continues. Bathers are regularly replaced by construction workers right after the pool closes.

According to the mayor, the occupancy approval of the pool precedes the trial operation. “The pool is currently operating in trial mode. This trial period is expected to last until August next year. The purpose of this trial mode is to test the technologies and ensure a smooth transition to regular operation,” Pfeffer Ferklová stated, adding that health inspectors typically require a trial period for pools.

The construction law provides for a trial operation prior to occupancy approval, and its purpose is to test the building mainly from a functional and safety perspective.

“The pool is open to the public and is currently operating in a limited mode. This means that it is not open all day but only during specific time intervals. There is also a discounted entry fee,” the mayor added. People will pay 150 crowns for three-hour access to the pool. Once the limited mode ends, the basic two-hour admission will be 245 crowns for the pool and 345 crowns for the pool and saunas. On weekends and holidays, the price will increase by an additional 100 crowns. However, Saunia also intends to offer discounted entry fees for seniors in the form of a subscription for ten entries.