The fate of the highest lookout tower in Moravia will be decided by a referendum

Velenov (Blanensko) - Velenov in Blanensko will hold a municipal referendum at the request of a third of its approximately 220 inhabitants regarding the planned construction of the Velenka lookout tower. At 65 meters, it would be the tallest observation tower in Moravia. The municipality has been working on the project for five years. However, in recent months, there have been concerns that it could lead the municipality into debt. But the leadership does not plan to take out loans, Mayor Jan Havelka said today to ČTK.
    The construction of the tower, from which one could see Vienna 140 kilometers away on clear days, is expected to cost 20 million crowns. The municipality has 15 million from the sale of municipal forests. The remaining funds aim to be obtained through subsidies. Once they have confirmed the subsidies, they will announce the referendum.
    According to the mayor, it could take place next year. The council wants to invest only its 15 million so that this small municipality in the Drahanská Highlands does not accumulate debt.
    The plan arose after Velenov sold forests that it had in the Central Moravian Forest Cooperative Niva. This was done because there was a risk that a private company could become the majority shareholder, limiting the municipality's ability to make joint decisions about the cooperative.
    From the sale of the forests, the municipal office gained almost 15 million crowns. Meanwhile, they used to generate 140,000 crowns annually. Velenov's goal after the sale was to invest the gained money to generate profit.
    The councilors decided on the construction of the lookout tower. They anticipate that it could attract 10,000 tourists annually, which means an annual income of 200,000 crowns with an entrance fee of 20 crowns. Velenov is located in a region that attracts 20,000 tourists each season. The nearby Moravian Karst welcomes around 400,000 visitors annually.
    The lookout tower is planned to include a restaurant, which would provide additional profit. The municipality owns seven hectares of forest around the planned construction site. "We have enough space for development so that our invested money will return, while beautifying Velenov at the same time. We firmly believe that we will convince our citizens of this," added Havelka.