Heritage conservationists support the plan to relocate the Art Nouveau dance hall in Loučná

OLOMOUC - The Olomouc conservationists welcome the plan of the municipality of Loučná nad Desnou in Šumperk to save the unique Art Nouveau building of the former dance hall in Račí Valley near Javorník in an extraordinary way. The municipality proposes to dismantle the dilapidated structure and relocate it to the Kocián pond in Loučná.
"The building was facing destruction, but it now seems that it will be saved," Jozef Laššák from the National Heritage Institute in Olomouc told ČTK. According to him, the wooden Art Nouveau building from the early 20th century was once one of the popular excursion sites in the Javorník area, but it has been deteriorating for several decades.
"The dance hall will likely be better utilized in Loučná nad Desnou. This municipality takes exemplary care of the castle park, near which the building is to be located," Laššák added.
The Art Nouveau dance hall is in a significantly dilapidated state, and the town hall in Javorník has no use for it. In contrast, it could again serve its original purpose after reconstruction in Loučná.
"We plan to build a facility near the pond because all the events that take place here are currently dependent on the weather. The new hall would provide space for entertainment and social events," said Loučná Mayor Pavel Martínek (ČSSD) to ČTK.
The idea to move the building came from architects who were developing a project for a multipurpose hall for Loučná, which is expected to be constructed in the town center this year. They discovered that the building awaiting rescue on the other side of the Jeseníky Mountains meets their requirements.
The dance hall is owned by Czech Railways, which agrees to its sale. However, they have a condition that the region must agree to the relocation of the building. This could become a significant problem. Loučná is under time pressure. They are applying for a state grant for the construction of the multipurpose hall. If granted, they must utilize the funds later this year. It will take some time to dismantle the building, reconstruct it in Loučná, and carry out complete repairs. The costs for relocation and reconstruction are estimated at around 3.5 million crowns, which is approximately the same as the cost of constructing a new hall.
The dance hall was built between 1906 and 1907 by Bishop Georg Kopp of Wrocław. It was one of the popular excursion spots where lively social life took place. However, after 1945, it began to deteriorate rapidly.