<translation>Zlín Region will contribute 20 million crowns for the renovation of the facade of the Zlín theater</translation>

Zlín - The Zlín Region will contribute 20 million crowns to the renovation of the facade of the historically protected building of the Zlín City Theatre. The financial support for the city, which operates the theatre, was approved by regional councilors on Monday. The grant still needs to be approved by the regional assembly, which will meet on December 8. This was announced today by the spokesperson for the regional office, Soňa Ličková. The first phase of the works is scheduled to begin next spring. The city expects that the first phase may cost around 60 million crowns, said the spokesperson for the Zlín city hall, Tomáš Melzer, today.

The theatre building, built between 1960 and 1967, has been fenced off for safety reasons for two years. The reason is that two stone slabs fell from the facade above the main entrance two years ago. The city lacks funds for the repair, which is estimated to cost 150 million crowns. "Zlín and the entire Zlín Region have long been adversely affected by an unjust distribution of tax revenues, and these are the consequences. That’s why we as a region must actively engage and help the city hall with the repair of the city theatre. The regional city and its theatre company deserve representative spaces and a dignified cultural venue," stated Governor Radim Holiš (ANO).

The city is processing project documentation for the overall renovation of the theatre and preparing a public contract for the contractor. Works could start in the spring of next year and should not disrupt the operation of the theatre.

The first phase will involve the renovation of the front facade of the theatre and the granite areas in front of the entrance, including the stairs. "The help from the Zlín Region, if approved by the councilors, will allow us to carry out the first phase on a larger scale. The city of Zlín does not have the financial resources for the total investment of 150 million crowns, but a grant of 20 million from the region would allow us to carry out the first phase in a variant that would eliminate the scaffolding at least on the northern side of the theatre, which currently partially encroaches on the sidewalk along Tomáš Baťa Street and thus reduces comfort for everyone," stated the mayor of Zlín, Jiří Korec (ANO).

"The city of Zlín is facing further significant and financially demanding investments, and financing everything solely from the city budget while maintaining the quality of all services and attractive activities for citizens of the entire Zlín Region is impossible due to the inappropriate setting of the budgetary allocation of taxes," stated Korec.