The reconstruction of the Central cinema in Olomouc will cost an additional 15 million CZK

Olomouc - The extensive reconstruction of the former Central cinema in the Museum of Art building in Olomouc will cost an additional 15 million, raising the total to 65 million Czech crowns. The reason for this increase is the rise in construction prices. Funding has already been promised by the Ministry of Culture, under which the institution falls. Work is expected to begin later this year, said the museum director Michal Soukup to ČTK. The renovation of the cinema, which is set to be transformed into a multifunctional space in the future, will affect the operations of the Music Theatre and likely the museum itself.

"It is very important for us to reconstruct the Central cinema because it has long been in a state of disrepair and is partially endangering our building structurally. Therefore, the Ministry of Culture has agreed to the reconstruction. At the turn of 2016/2017, we received funding for the repairs. During last year, we prepared the competition, but we did not anticipate that construction prices would rise so drastically," Soukup stated.

The reconstruction was originally estimated at 50 million crowns, but the museum leadership ultimately had to reevaluate the budget and increase the amount to 65 million crowns. "A new tender for the construction contractor should be announced at the beginning of February. The tender process should take about three months; I believe construction could start after the summer. We would like the construction work to be completed in time for us to start the first season in the Central cinema in September 2020," Soukup added.

The former Central cinema, which has been closed for more than ten years, is located beneath the Music Theatre, the most well-known alternative venue in Olomouc. The neglected spaces have remained unused partly due to complex property relations, which were resolved by merging the Music Theatre and the Museum of Art Olomouc. The work will likely affect the operations of both institutions. According to director Soukup, a temporary closure of the entire museum is not ruled out. "We will try to create a schedule so that the impact on visitors is minimized," the director added. The Music Theatre is expected to complete its current season before moving to the Mozarteum hall in the building of the Archdiocesan Museum, which also falls under the Museum of Art.

The reconstructed hall of the former Central cinema is expected to open to the public in 2020. The Museum of Art intends to relocate theatre programs, concerts, film screenings, and lectures to this space.