Zlín will build a conference center in phases due to financial problems

ZLÍN - The Zlín city hall will build a congress center in phases. The city has not managed to secure sufficient funding from the European Union or the state budget for the project, which totals over half a billion crowns. By dividing the project into phases, the city hall aims to avoid potential financing issues. Today, the city council approved a new payment system for the construction of the center.
Each phase will have its own tender process. One phase involves the substructure, mainly the underground garages. "For example, the garages can temporarily serve independently in case of a lack of funds for the next phase. We do not want any half-built monstrosities here," said Deputy Mayor Irena Ondrová. The city will pay for the underground part from funds obtained from the sale of land, and a contribution from the state budget is also anticipated.
The next phase, which is estimated to cost around 413 million crowns, consists of the center's main building. The city plans to fund this primarily with 250 million crowns from credit sources. The entire congress center is expected to be completed in 2008. Currently, the relocations of engineering networks are practically finished, which has cost nearly 30 million crowns.
The congress center will create a new complex with the university center in the city center. Tomas Bata University has already begun construction, having secured a half-billion grant. The university section will include a library, an auditorium, and lecture halls. The part designated for congress purposes will feature a large hall, and the Zlín Philharmonic Bohuslav Martinů will also be located here.
According to the city hall, the construction of the center is very important for the city. "We are really lacking a large hall where congresses, seminars, and even balls could be held. The demands today are already higher, and many congresses that used to take place in Zlín are now being held elsewhere," Ondrová noted.