Poděbrady will purchase a plot for the new school in Žižkov for 59 million crowns

Poděbrady - Poděbrady will purchase a plot of land for the construction of an elementary school in Žižkov for 59.2 million crowns. The purchase agreement was approved on Wednesday by the city councilors, with 11 votes in favor, which is the minimum number required for approval. The land spans over 10,200 square meters. The preparation for the construction of the school for 810 students can thus continue with project documentation or ongoing negotiations about a municipality association, said the mayor of Poděbrady, Roman Schulz (ODS), to ČTK today.

The city originally planned a school for 500 to 550 students, but later increased the capacity to 810, which according to Schulz required a larger area. The plot the city is purchasing is expected to include parking spaces. "The school should also serve as a community and cultural center, which is why we sought to have enough parking spaces there," Schulz said. According to him, the city has been negotiating with the landowners for a long time about various options for purchase and price.

The vote was preceded by a lengthy discussion, with several councilors leaving during the voting. For example, councilor Miroslav Káninský (Naše Poděbrady) voted against, stating that the school is an unrealistic and unprepared project, since the city does not have a funding commitment or a municipality association. The purchase of the land is wasted money, Káninský told ČTK.

The city has an available architectural study, which indicates that the new school complex should connect with the T.G. Masaryk school complex, which has a building for the first stage in Žižkov. It will include buildings for both the first and second stages, totaling 27 primary classes, along with a gymnasium. In the center, there will be an atrium that is intended to serve for school and public events. There will be 132 parking spaces available in front of the school.

The school is expected to be a consortium project, jointly built and used by the municipalities of Choťánky, Pátek, Sokoleč, and Kouty, in addition to Poděbrady. According to earlier city information, the estimated costs are 1.25 billion crowns, and construction could begin in 2028.