The Zlín representatives allocated money for a competition for the reconstruction of the cinema

Zlín - Zlín city councilors today decided on the allocation of funds for the so-called competitive dialogue regarding the reconstruction of the Grand Cinema. Last year, when the preparation began, they allocated three million crowns for the architectural competition process, and today they decided on an additional 1.9 million crowns. According to Mayor Jiří Korec (ANO), the form of competitive dialogue is more demanding, longer, and costlier, but it will allow the city to enter into conditions during the competition, possibly to modify or discuss them.

"It's a new form that is not often used, which is why we also took advantage of the opportunity for an external administrator who already has experience with it," Korec told reporters today. The competition is expected to be announced in September, with results to be known within about a year. The costs for the reconstruction should not exceed 250 million crowns.

The Grand Cinema has been closed since March 2016 due to structural issues. It was built in 1932 by the Baťa company based on a design attributed to architect František L. Gahura. Its original auditorium capacity reached up to 2,270 seats, which has gradually been reduced to the current 1,010 seats, making it the largest cinema hall with year-round operation in the country.

The tender conditions for the competition include the preservation of the cinema hall and the addition of other functions. The building could also be used for other cultural events, but this will also depend on costs related to acoustics. "The requirements from heritage protection are to maintain the slope of the auditorium," said Korec. The capacity is expected to be 800 seats. There is also a need to expand the facilities, such as building conference rooms.

"We know the requirements; what we do not know is the income question, how much space will remain for commercial use, which could sustain the operations of the Grand Cinema. We do not know the cost of creating open space, for the foyer during major events, a museum of cinematography, or virtual reality," Korec stated.

The goal of the reconstruction is to preserve as much of the original structure of the building as possible, but the load-bearing structure is in poor condition. "It has significant shortcomings from the beginning, there were areas where savings were made," Korec noted. However, the outdoor appearance of the cinema will remain the same after the reconstruction.