Plzeň Region, Plzeň, and the bishopric are preparing the construction of a hospice for approximately 300 million CZK

Plzeň - The Plzeň Region, the city of Plzeň, and the Plzeň Diocese are preparing to construct a new hospice in the suburban area of Malesice in Plzeň. The costs are estimated to be between 300 and 350 million CZK. Plzeň will provide the land, which has already been approved by the city and district representatives, and is also prepared to contribute 50 million CZK, which must be approved by the council and representatives. The same procedure awaits the region, which has already preliminarily discussed a sum more than twice what the city will contribute to the construction. Financing the joint investment relies on additional donors; the diocese will announce a public fundraising campaign in the coming weeks, as confirmed by ČTK from both the city and the region.

The current Hospice of Saint Lazarus serves over 420 patients a year, of which 60 percent are from outside Plzeň. The facility has 28 beds with a 95 percent occupancy rate. It has been located in a car-filled courtyard, without a garden and only a small terrace for 27 years. It has been striving for a new building for several years. The new construction is set to have 32 beds. According to the hospice, demand is continually rising; for the fourth year, the facility has also been providing home care.

"In April, we should be able to launch the fundraising campaign. It is a great project that we will build. I am ready, as is Mr. Governor and Mr. Bishop," said Mayor Roman Zarzycký (ANO). According to him, all parties will still discuss possible risks of the area with the hospice's director's team and agree on a memorandum in March. "Once we give it the 'green light' with the memorandum, we will also start the fundraising," he stated. He added that he has already agreed with Deputy Governor for Investments Tomáš Soukup (ANO) to launch an architectural competition for the construction.

"We are tentatively agreed. The city will provide the land, and we have specified some amount that we are willing to invest, and the bishop said he would launch a fundraising campaign for the hospice," stated Governor Kamal Farhan (ANO). According to the mayor, Plzeň has verified that the donated land can be connected to the complete infrastructure that is still being developed in the area. "We know the capacity because we have an analysis from the diocese regarding the demand across the entire region. Besides the land, I am willing to contribute 50 million CZK to this. And together we should announce a public fundraising campaign," Zarzycký added.

Farhan did not specify the exact sum that the region should contribute. "We are prepared to give at least twice as much as the city. But still, those funds will not cover the total construction costs," he said. He added that regional councilors have already discussed the financial framework but need to incorporate it into the investment plan. "But I won't say how much right now because it hasn't been approved," he added.

"Everything is leading to the fact that a new hospice building will be established in Malesice. Preparatory work is already beginning at the regional level, and a working group is being formed. We are very grateful for the collective will and effort of Malesice, the city, and the region regarding the new building," stated Petr Kačírek from the Hospice of Saint Lazarus.