The reconstruction of the Příbram water park should cost 258 million CZK

Příbram – The reconstruction of the Příbram aquapark is expected to cost 258 million crowns excluding VAT. The renovated complex is scheduled to open in the second half of 2023. This is indicated by the proposal that was approved by city council members today. The opposition proposed to postpone the discussion of the item, but was unsuccessful.

Last month, councilors halted preparations for the reconstruction in its most extensive variant. According to Mayor Jan Konvalinka (for ANO), the project had ballooned 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 a smaller scope that will be cheaper.

The city leadership wants to make the most of the project documentation for the original more expensive variant, which is already completed. Today's resolution mandates them to work on changing the project for the building permit, which should be completed by fall. The construction project documentation is to be completed by spring next year, and a construction company is to be selected in the summer of the same year. According to the city hall, the reconstruction work will last 18 to 24 months.

The opposition sought to postpone today's vote to next week, when they wanted to meet again at the interrupted session. The Pirates wanted to consult the reconstruction with members of the A-team, which gathers architects associated with Příbram. TOP 09 argued that the proposal was added to the agenda at the last minute and the public was not aware of it. After all, this is an important material and according to TOP 09, people should have the opportunity to participate in its discussion.

Coalition representatives pointed out that discussions about the reconstruction have been ongoing for five years and the public expects that construction will finally begin. "So much time has been spent discussing something that nothing has been agreed upon at all," said the mayor. Therefore, the leadership pushed for a vote on the proposal today, and the opposition was outvoted.

The A-team has reservations about the project documentation, criticizing among other things the preservation of the main load-bearing steel structures. They claim it would be cheaper to demolish the steel structures of the upper building and replace them with new ones instead of the laborious and lengthy repairs, which they believe will have nearly uncontrollable results. According to the association, half the costs can be achieved by reassessing the commission rather than modifying the current project. "The possibilities and financial cost of the investment will be best tested by variant studies based on the new commission," stated the A-team in a statement sent to the councilors. Coalition representatives rejected this at today's meeting.