The reconstruction of the roof of the spa in Jablonec nad Nisou was complicated by wood-destroying fungi

Jablonec nad Nisou - Wood-destroying fungi have complicated the reconstruction of the roof of the municipal spa in Jablonec nad Nisou, for which eight million crowns are allocated in this year's budget. This was revealed by a building-technical survey that the city council commissioned before starting the work. A mycological survey is currently being conducted there to determine the scope of the repair, said Mayor Miloš Vele (ODS) today to ČTK. According to him, the city council should soon announce a tender for the repair contractor.

The spa in the center of Jablonec was built between 1908 and 1909 according to the design of architect Rudolf Hemmrich, who is also the author of the spa building in Nové Město pod Smrkem, designed the church in nearby Loučná, and the observation towers on Černá Studnice, Bramberk, and in Proseč. The appearance of the Art Nouveau spa building was significantly affected by insensitive modifications made in the 1960s, when it lost its external stucco decoration. However, the original documentation has survived, as well as many original elements such as windows, doors, and flooring.

The spa was the first of the large buildings that Jablonec financed in the early 20th century. "The city was moved forward tremendously; suddenly, there was a palace of sports and modern life where people could buy a shower for just a few hellers, received soap and a towel, and could go swimming. They had services of a masseur, and people could enjoy baths like carbonated or peat baths. They could even go indoors to sunbathe in a place that almost no one knows today," said Lubor Lacina, author of the book: Jablonecké lázně - a currently unfinished story.

The Jablonec spa was one of the first in the Czech lands, but for years it has been unused and deteriorating. Over the past 20 years, the city council has assessed several ways to utilize it, with the furthest plans being for its conversion into a city library. A proposal was also made to build a rehabilitation center for seniors or studios for the University of Liberec there. However, nothing has ultimately been realized. The city council also offered the building to private investors, but there was no interest.

"I would be very happy if the spa could be returned to its original state, to have a pool that used to be there, and which is actually still there. And the adjoining part offers various commercial uses for manicure, pedicure, massage, and similar services. I believe it can be done if a good business plan is developed. There is a huge technical basement; if it opened into Tyrš Gardens, I can imagine sitting on the terrace and having a beautiful wine cellar there," said Vele.

The renovation of the building will cost tens of millions of crowns, so other projects have taken priority for now. "It is certainly not within the city's means to completely repair the spa; I believe we can find someone who would work with us to ensure the spa does not collapse and can begin to serve its intended purpose," added Deputy Mayor Jana Hamplová (Starostové pro Liberecký kraj).