Next week, the reconstruction of the Kolín water tower is set to be completed

Kolín - The reconstruction of the former water tower in Kolín, which is being transformed into a lookout tower, is expected to be completed by the end of next week. The repairs of this technical monument, costing approximately eight million crowns, will largely be funded by grants from European funds. Upon completion, the water tower will be equipped with the necessary technology, said Martin Tichý, head of the regional development department of the city, to ČTK today. The lookout tower will be open to the public in August.
The repairs of the water tower were originally supposed to finish by the end of June, so they are about a week behind schedule. "So far, this deadline is valid according to the contractor's statement and the agreement with our technical supervision. Whether they meet it, we will see," Tichý told ČTK. The first level of the tower will be barrier-free and will offer visitors projections from the upper floor through cameras placed on the lookout. The builders have also repaired the interior, where it will be possible to view exhibitions focused on the industrial architecture of the city and its surroundings. "In the first phase, it will be a somewhat more economical version of the exhibition and interior fittings, and it is planned that it may be further equipped in another phase, given the provided grant funds," Tichý added. On the ground floor of the building, the city also plans an information center, where visitors of the monument will obtain necessary tourist information. In the area of the former tank, a scenographer intends to project water bubbles onto the tank wall accompanied by music and lights.
The Kolín water tower is among the city's landmarks. Until now, it has been empty and unused. It was built in 1930 as the work of architects František Janda and Jan Hráský. The original owner, a water management company, sold it to a private individual years ago, who later sold it to another interested party. Meanwhile, the building fell into disrepair. Ultimately, it was acquired by the city. In the future, the city hall also plans to enhance the area around the water tower and install play elements for children.