Karlovy Vary - The Imperial Baths in Karlovy Vary will have a multifunctional hall according to the revised project. Conversely, there will be no space for the background and concerts of the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra. The costs for the reconstruction of the national cultural monument are set to drop from nearly a billion crowns to 500 million crowns, architect Tomáš Dohnal said today during the presentation of the adjusted project.
"The main change in our project is the utilization of the former peat courtyard, which was originally not conceived for the public at all and was designed only as a transport space for peat baths. Now we will use the character of the space and elevate it to a public area. In addition to the ground floor, two levels of balconies will also be available, and the area will be covered with a flat roof and a large skylight," Dohnal said.
The original courtyard will thus create a new multifunctional hall, where balls, cultural events, or film screenings can be organized. The hall could therefore become another of the festival cinemas.
Mayor Petr Kulhánek (KOA) said that in the revised project, it was not possible to find a suitable solution for the location of the facilities and concert hall for the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra. While concert halls exist in the city, the symphonic musicians lack the necessary facilities. The city is thus considering several options for where rehearsal spaces and other areas for the symphonic musicians might be. These include Husovka, the People’s House, or the Drahomíra Cinema.
The Imperial Baths are owned by the Karlovy Vary Region. They have pledged 200 million crowns for their repair, the city will add 100 million, and the Ministry of Finance, through the Ministry of Culture, has promised 100 million, with the rest expected to be covered by grants from the Integrated Regional Operational Program.
The selection procedure for the contractor is currently underway. If a contractor can be selected, the reconstruction of one of the most valuable buildings in Karlovy Vary could begin yet this year. It is estimated to take 26 months.