In the Imperial Baths, 80 percent of the space will be used for culture

Karlovy Vary - In the Karlovy Vary Imperial Spa, 80 percent of the space will be used for culture. This is stated by the Karlovy Vary Region in addition to its application for a grant from the Ministry of Culture. The predominantly non-commercial use is a condition for the grant, so it will not be considered illegal public support. This was said today to reporters by the governor of the Karlovy Vary Region, Jana Mračková Vildumetzová (ANO).

"We had to supplement the application to the Ministry of Culture according to the guidelines. We had to qualify whether it would involve illegal public support. According to the opinion of the Office for the Protection of Competition and our plan, 80 percent of the building should be used for culture," said Vildumetzová.

The remaining 20 percent of the building can then be used by the region for commercial purposes after the reconstruction, for example, for spa services that the region would like to return to the historic building from the late 19th century.

The Karlovy Vary Region, which is the owner of the national cultural monument, is also finalizing the preparation of the project documentation for the renovation of the building. According to the governor, the application for a building permit should be submitted in the coming days. The Karlovy Vary City Hall has 60, or possibly up to 90 days, to approve it. Then, according to Mračková Vildumetzová, it will be possible to announce a competition for the contractor.

The estimated costs for the renovation of the Imperial Spa are around 550 million crowns. The state is expected to contribute 250 million crowns through the Ministry of Culture, the region has promised 200 million crowns, and the city of Karlovy Vary will contribute 100 million crowns.