Dobřany will build a library for 140 million CZK, converted the riding hall into a cultural center

Dobřany - Dobřany in the Plzeň region will start building a library this year for approximately 140 million CZK. They have received a grant of 80 million crowns. The library, which is currently located in the basic art school, can no longer be expanded and the school, with more than 400 students, needs to establish better facilities. Martin Sobotka (Active Dobřany), the mayor, told ČTK this. The seven-thousand-strong town has now completed the renovation of the former dragoon riding hall into a cultural and creative center on the border of the housing estate and the city center.

"We have already received a grant from the European IROP program for the library, ultimately in the full amount of 80 million CZK after all calculations. Everything is prepared, we will start demolition work and preparations at the end of the year. Then there will be two years for the construction," he said. The mayor appreciates that due to the longer wait for the grant decision, the Ministry for Regional Development has extended the deadline for the city to complete the project until the end of 2028.

Dobřany purchased the building from the automobile club, which they will demolish. Half of the building will be in a preservation zone, which corresponds to the architectural solution. The city has had a building permit for the project for several years. The total costs of about 140 million crowns are, according to the mayor, determined by the fact that the project also includes work that is not directly related to the library.

The city has completed the renovation of the riding hall into the Wolfram cultural and creative center for 400 people. The construction, costing approximately 56 million without VAT, received a European grant of 40 million crowns from the National Recovery Plan and from the Ministry of Culture. "It was financed continuously, we have already received part of the grant and are still waiting for some. The construction has not significantly overruns," said the mayor.

According to him, the riding hall is finished, and the deadline has been met. "We are finishing the exteriors, surrounding buildings, and also the acoustics inside, so that it fits the completed building perfectly," noted the mayor. The first major test will be a concert by the Swiss band The Young Gods on March 17.

The riding hall on Tyršova Street is in a preservation zone but is not a cultural monument. "It has a significant urban formation function because it has connected the panel housing estate with the center," said the mayor. Next to the riding hall, there will be a café with outdoor seating. The city has also received a grant for landscaping. The project also includes underground waste containers.

According to the mayor, Dobřany is now constructing three times more than in previous years.