The representatives of the Plzeň Region approved the conclusion of a loan of 2 billion CZK for the renewal of the spa

Plzeň - The representatives of the Plzeň Region today approved the intention to secure a two billion crown loan for the reconstruction of the city baths in Plzeň, including the construction of a new building for the West Bohemian Gallery (ZČG). The current professional estimate from the construction company for this investment suggests that costs will range between 1.76 billion and two billion crowns. The price will be specified in the project, with the final amount being determined only after the tender, said Deputy Governor Martin Záhoř (ANO). There were 28 votes in favor, three against, and six abstained. The opposition has long disagreed with this investment, which is set to start in 2025.

"There is no need to exhaust the entire loan framework, and it can also be repaid early," Záhoř stated. According to the regional councilor for economics, Pavel Strolený (ANO), this is still a discussion about the two billion loan framework, and the region has already approached six banks. "To find out whether they will provide us with the loan themselves or will need to collaborate. Each is capable of financing it alone," he added.

The actual construction is expected to begin according to Strolený in 2025 and continue into 2026. "And for those years, we will aim for the possible two billion loan, which will be repayable in ten to fifteen years, which we want to tender next year," he said.

For the reconstruction of the baths, the region already has 200 million crowns allocated in next year's budget. "This is for preparatory construction work, project completion, and demolition, which has already begun today to prepare the construction site for the new building (ZČG)," Strolený noted. According to Záhoř, the first part of the baths was handed over for demolition this morning. This concerns the rear section of the extension, where the boiler room and steam room were located.

"Investing two billion crowns into a building that the region does not need is nonsensical, plus we will have to take out a loan for it," said opposition councilor Ivo Grüner (Socdem). Opposition councilor Marcela Hollerová (ODS) reminded that building a new gallery, which already had a plot in the center of Plzeň and a building permit, would have been more representative and probably cheaper. However, the current regional leadership rejected it and purchased the historically protected baths from 1932. "Do you even have a serious budget or cost analysis for how much this will cost?" asked opposition councilor and senator Vladislav Vilímec (ODS). The final amount will be revealed according to Záhoř only after the supplier competition.

Senator and opposition councilor Pavel Karpíšek (ODS) disagreed with the region's procedure, which did not announce an architectural competition and directly commissioned the project from the architectural studio of Eva Heyworth, which presented the study back in October. "The project for the new gallery was perfectly prepared; at that time, we were debating whether to allocate 20 or 30 million more for it. And now we are approving a construction that will impact the next budgets of the region and you write in the justification 'about two billion'. Are you joking with us?" Karpíšek said.

According to Strolený, the gallery in the baths will solve the problems because the ZČG currently has nowhere to store and exhibit exhibits. "And we are also addressing the lack of a hall for contributory and interest organizations and associations. For the years 2025 and 2026, we are preparing to draw the loan and are also counting on European funds, though we do not yet know from which programs," said the economic councilor. If the EU does not participate in the reconstruction of the baths, then it has no place in the budget and its outlook, Vilímec argued. Strolený stated that a two billion crown loan for ten years would result in an annual payment of 200 million crowns plus interest. "We can manage that, and we need not fear that we would fail to finance regular projects and expenditures," he added.