Zlín will start the construction of a congress center, which will be completed in 2008

Zlín - The Zlín Town Hall will begin work on the foundation of the congress center in the city center next week, where, for example, parking spaces will be located. The cost is approximately 117 million crowns. At the beginning of next year, the construction of the upper part will likely begin, which will require about 380 million crowns. The entire facility is expected to start operating in mid-2008. This was announced to journalists today by Deputy Mayor Irena Ondrová.
    The congress center, along with the university center, will create a new area in the city center. The university part will include a library, an auditorium, and lecture halls. The section designated for congress purposes will feature a hall that will also house the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic. The university has already started construction of its part for 453 million crowns. In the future, the complex will likely be complemented by a hotel with a high standard of services, which will be built by a private investor.
    While Tomas Bata University in Zlín has received a grant of 440 million crowns from the Ministry of Education for its part of the project, the city has been less successful in obtaining grants. "So far, the state has contributed 45 million crowns," Ondrová stated. Approximately that amount has been required for project preparation, construction, and the relocation of utility networks. Due to financial issues, the city had previously decided to divide the entire construction into three phases. "We will continue to strive to obtain funding from the state or from European Union funds," Ondrová said.