On the tracks in Brno during the holidays, they are painting or changing the floors

Brno – Brno universities are taking advantage of the summer period with less demand for accommodation to renovate the dormitories. Most of the work involves minor repairs, such as painting or floor replacement. A smaller portion of the students lives in the dormitories even during the holidays, but they will be minimally affected by the renovations. Mendel University offers students accommodation during the summer at a ten percent discount, while students at Masaryk University and the University of Technology will pay the same amount as during the academic year, university spokespersons told ČTK.

Mendel University has established a barrier system at the dormitory complex of the Academy in Černá Pole. At the Taufer dormitory in Královo Pole, they are renovating units, there will be new kitchen units, sanitary facilities, and new furniture in some rooms. At all Mendel University dormitories, they are painting, repairing floors, or updating lighting. "These are minor projects, totaling about eight million crowns," said Mendel University spokesperson Filip Vrána.

The Faculty of Horticulture of Mendel University is located in Lednice in the Břeclav region, where the dormitory has a capacity of 304 beds. "At the dormitory in Lednice, we are reducing the number of beds for greater comfort, with a common room containing a dining table, refrigerator, and microwave being created in each unit," Vrána stated.

The Brno dormitories of Mendel University have a capacity of 2543 beds, with about 300 people utilizing accommodation during the summer, where students pay approximately ten percent less. "Due to repairs, we have to consolidate the students. We leave up to three floors for students in each dormitory, while the rest is being renovated or used for hotel activities," Vrána added.

At the University of Technology, only minor interior modifications are being made. They are replacing floors, adjusting kitchens, or changing doors. The university has the largest accommodation capacity in Brno, offering more than 6000 beds. Only ten percent of students use accommodation in the summer, and the price remains the same as during the academic year.

At Masaryk University dormitories, there are no significant renovations taking place during the summer. Next year, the university plans a complete renovation of approximately 135 student rooms in block A2 at the Vinařská dormitories near the Brno exhibition center. The core will be replaced, and students will receive new furniture.

"Our long-term goal is to increase the accommodation standard. We plan to renovate the Vinařská dormitories from May to August 2020 to minimize disruption to the dormitory's operations," stated Masaryk University spokesperson Tereza Fojtová. The repairs will cost 80 million crowns, of which 48 million will be provided by the Ministry of Education.

Starting with the new academic year, students will have to pay a little more for accommodation at Masaryk University dormitories. In the previous academic year, for instance, at Kounicova dormitories, a student paid 128 crowns per bed per day in a double room, and from September, they will pay an additional four crowns.