Zlín University has begun construction of a center for 453 million

Zlín - Tomas Bata University in Zlín today commenced the construction of a university center, the main part of which will be a library. The costs amount to 453 million crowns, with 440 million being a grant from the Ministry of Education. The university center will create a joint complex with a convention center being built by the Zlín city council. The project was designed by architect and Zlín native Eva Jiřičná.
The current library's capacity is already insufficient due to the growing number of students. The university anticipates that the new library will offer services to more than 7,000 users. "This will be a fundamental turning point in the development of the school, as the library is the cornerstone of any university," said Rector Petr Sáha to ČTK today. The university center, consisting of two five-story buildings, will also house the rectorate and an auditorium. Builders are expected to complete the work by the end of next year.
The complex also includes a convention center, the construction of which the city will begin in the summer. The convention center will require an investment of over half a billion crowns. Therefore, the city administration has divided the construction into two completely separate phases. First, they will build the lower part, which will primarily be garages. The next phase, with an overall value of about 400 million crowns, will consist of the center's main building, which will also house the Zlín Philharmonic Bohuslav Martinů.
According to the city council, the construction of the center is very important for the city. "We really lack a large hall where congresses, seminars, and also balls could be held. The demands are now higher, and many congresses that used to be held in Zlín are now organized elsewhere," said Deputy Mayor Irena Ondrová to ČTK earlier.
The preparation for the construction, particularly the relocation of engineering networks, has already cost 33.5 million crowns.