Svitavy is once again returning to the project of reconstructing the indoor swimming pool

Svitavy – Svitavy is once again returning to the project of reconstructing the indoor swimming pool, which was halted last year. The reason for this was the high cost, which would significantly burden the city’s budget for several future years and complicate other municipal investments. The city had the original project revised to reduce costs, Mayor David Šimek (Association for the City of Svitavy) told reporters today.

At the end of the year, the city tasked the design office with insulating the entire building, solving the draft problem, creating a large whirlpool, a shared steam room, attractions for children, and addressing the issue with the water slide. "If we wanted to create a more luxurious architectural design, that shell, it would add millions. We agreed that it’s a matter of price to performance ratio," Šimek stated.

Thanks to the adjustments to the original project, the price should be reduced to about 150 million crowns. In last year’s tender, costs soared to almost 250 million crowns, and the competition was therefore canceled.

According to the current plans, an entrance vestibule should be added to the indoor pool building, as well as a space by the pool, where a rest area with loungers or a viewing area for competitions will be created. This will also free up space for a large whirlpool. Windows will be replaced, and walls will be insulated. Behind the building, there will still be free space for possible future development of the pool and wellness.

Inside, it will be necessary to demolish the original changing rooms and create new shared ones with changing cabins. Similarly, showers will be reconstructed. In the pool hall, the tiles and insulation will be replaced, and the children's pool will be renovated. The water slide will be moved, thus freeing up space for another smaller children's pool.

This year, the city hall wants to complete the revised project documentation and obtain a building permit. From November to May 2023, a tender for the construction company should take place, with the actual reconstruction scheduled to begin in June 2023 and finish in December 2024.

The swimming pool was opened in 1994 and has not undergone any significant innovations so far. Since 2016, discussions about a larger reconstruction and expansion have been ongoing in Svitavy. Local residents miss additional elements, such as wellness, while the pool management would appreciate more modern technologies. The modernization project has been halted twice due to economic reasons, just before beginning. In October 2020, the third tender for the construction contractor was announced, reserving the right for the city to cancel the procurement procedure if the lowest evaluated bid exceeds 170 million crowns excluding VAT. However, even the most advantageous offer significantly exceeded this set limit.