In Opava, a new swimming pool will be built for 350 million crowns

Opava - A new swimming pool will be built in Opava for 350 million crowns. It will be in an African style and may carry the name of the famous Opava-born writer and animal protector Joy Adamson. This option has already been approved by the city councilors. They were deciding between this largest construction, a smaller one, and the renovation of the existing pool or just the renovation of the aging facility. In the end, they decided to build a new large swimming pool. Opava's mayor Tomáš Navrátil (ANO) told ČTK this.

According to him, construction should follow the project that won an architectural competition in 2007. "Our project team will prepare a study. We are now only dealing with the large option. The original project will be adjusted to meet current needs. There will be minor, mainly internal and layout adjustments," Navrátil explained. He reiterated that the city is prepared to invest 350 million crowns plus VAT into the construction.

Construction could begin in the area of the Municipal Parks, next to the current swimming pool, in 2023, with completion expected in 2025. The complex is planned to include an eight-lane pool, waterslides, a sauna world, and a zone with hot tubs. According to Navrátil, annual attendance is expected to be around 250,000 to 380,000 people.

Renovating the existing pool would cost the city 100 million crowns. The third option, building a smaller water park and renovating the existing one, would also cost 350 million crowns.

The new water park could be created in an African style. It could even be named after Opava-born writer and animal protector Joy Adamson. The current pool is expected to be operational until the new water park opens. Its future will be decided by then. "We have five years for this. In my opinion, every building can be sold," Navrátil stated. He added that it is still unclear how the city will finance the project. "It could be part of a loan. Selling unnecessary property we maintain and pay for is also an option," the mayor said.

The current Opava pool is located almost in the center of the city, and some residents do not like its relocation to the outskirts. They fear it will be less accessible. Others, on the other hand, welcome the move from a busy street to a quieter area.

The first study of the new pool was created years ago, and according to it, the facility was to have two floors and waterslides leading to the pool. Later, the city council decided to revise the study to reduce costs. According to these plans, the facility should be one-story, with one swimming pool of 25 meters in length and six lanes. The recreational pool with water features such as jets and a lazy river should be the same size. The facility should include saunas, massage showers, and a café. The version envisioned in the current study anticipates a larger complex that would allow for the organization of international competitions.