Radio communication will not receive a grant for the repair of Ještěd

Liberec - Ještěd has lost the chance to obtain funds for the repairs of the television transmitter and the mountain hotel from the so-called Norwegian funds. The commission at the Ministry of Finance, which evaluated the grant applications, did not recommend it for the next round. This is reported by today's Mladá fronta Dnes, citing the Deputy for the Development of the Liberec Region, Vít Příkaský. This significantly reduces the chance of the national cultural monument being listed as a UNESCO site. A condition for that is to restore the building and its interiors to their original condition.
    According to Příkaský, officials from the ministry argued that Czech Radiocommunications, which owns Ještěd, is a wealthy company and therefore it would be easier for them to find funds for repairs. "If the city or the region had applied, they would probably have a better chance," Příkaský pointed out. According to him, the verdict is not final. Negotiations about the grants will continue. Radiocommunications can appeal. "But they would need very strong arguments to succeed," he added.
    Czech Radiocommunications requested more than 730,000 euros (approximately 22 million crowns). However, they estimated the cost of the interior repair of Ještěd at 36 million crowns. As for whether they will continue to seek the grant or apply elsewhere, the company did not comment.
    A complete reconstruction of the 34-year-old building will cost hundreds of millions. Czech Radiocommunications declared that they consider the transmitter for future use, but they are not interested in the operation and reconstruction of the hotel and restaurant.