The Most Lake could be acquired by the city free of charge from the state by the end of this year

Most - The Most lake could be obtained by the city free of charge from the state by the end of this year. Councilors will approve the transfer of 702 hectares including the water surface at the next meeting. The procedure for the free transfer was approved by the previous government of Petr Fiala (ODS). The new government of Andrej Babiš (ANO) has not yet commented on the matter, Mayor Marek Hrvol (ProMOST) told reporters today. The municipality has completed an architectural study for a large campsite, which will only be implemented if it becomes the owner of the land.

By September at the latest, councilors are to receive a contract for the free transfer along with an updated appraisal of the value of the transferred property. The state enterprise Diamo, which manages the lake, has previously determined the value of the land in several versions, with amounts ranging from 150 to 350 million crowns, according to Hrvol. "The tax circumstances of the transfer are also being addressed," Hrvol stated. The city will keep the land. "Absolutely no business is out of the question. The city has learned from the privatization of the housing stock, and I believe that no matter who will be in the leadership, no one will think about selling the land," the mayor emphasized.

The largest project will be the construction of a large campsite, which will include permanent buildings for accommodation, refreshments, social facilities, spaces for caravans, tent areas, and amenities for water sports. If the transfer is successful, the city wants to have the project documentation completed next year and start building the campsite in 2028.

The area, where brown coal was mined, is gradually transforming into a recreational area, with the public using the space since 2020. The only pedestrian access from the city center to the lake is via the Ryko bridge, which lacks a lane for cyclists. Therefore, the city hall wants to build a footbridge over the four-lane road at the level of the museum. It will measure between 330 and 390 meters, and cyclists will also be able to use the connection. The council has now appointed a jury for the architectural competition for the footbridge.

The city estimates the annual costs for the management and maintenance of the area around the lake, including the water surface itself, at ten to 15 million crowns. Most has been striving for the free transfer of the land for many years. The city hall is not allowed to make any substantial investments around the lake, where events such as the Olympic festival or a large music festival have been held. There are already buildings and parking lots on the land which were created during the revitalization of the original brown coal mine Most-Ležáky.