Elizabeth's spa is the last representative of the traditional spa of the city of Karlovy Vary. It is the only place in Vary with an extensive program of spa and rehabilitation care available to the general public.
Here, the inhabitants of the city and the Czech Republic, rich sheikhs and the cream of the crop of tourists have "come to their own" without a single interruption since 1906. Even in the times of the proletariat and the all-powerful power of the people, and in the times of the empire, even more so during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, they knew what they had its value and highest price for the nation and for locally vital tourism. It is the health and healing effect of a natural source and the skill of an experienced staff. This is still the case today, despite all the difficulties.
The basic pitfalls are the unceasing zeal of one or another politician to suppress, suffocate, declare this exceptional traffic unviable and commercialize it. No matter how noble they call this "business" - "concession management", "entry of a strategic partner", "cooperation with an investor"...all the models that have already taken place have always shown that the combination of an external trader and the provision of public services to a broad segment of the population do not go together.
One is strictly about profit, the other is supposed to be an essential service to the public in the prevention of health preservation and its recovery after illnesses and injuries and in the valorization of public property.
The covid era with its measures against the spread of viral infection is fatal for the operation of Elizabeth's Spa.
In January and February 2020, we managed to increase income by an average of 250,000 per month compared to 2019, especially with targeted work with foreign clients. March came and the slump. However, not in our activity, but in income. We always provide only the care that we can within the limits. This results in the almost permanent closure of the pool complex, salt cave and social hall. For most of the year, I was able to provide "only" outpatient rehab care, but we never fully closed. Over the course of the year, the interest of the citizens of the city, the region and the entire Czech Republic increased continuously. During the main season in 2020, we were visited by a similar number of clients as in previous years.
But these mostly directly reflect the fact that we mainly provide a public service. These are subscribers of health insurance companies with recommendations from specialist doctors and our spa doctor, MUDr. The Maulens.
That is, a service and not a business. But that should be the point, right? Or that it would still be different? The city management is still facing a difficult task. In the event of a drop in income, deposit appropriate amounts into all continuously outstretched hands. The transport company, KSO, KV Aréna s.r.o., other city organizations, sports clubs, associations and organizations that need the support of the city for their activities, repairs, reconstruction, investments... and how they are to win their position in all of this, the only and last public spa, want their way. You should probably start by setting priorities.
Are we a city of buses, the Philharmonic, sports, broken sidewalks? No. We are a spa town. And despite current trends, this should be glorified. And how essential are spas for a spa town? Well, probably like a factory for an industrial city. And it probably goes without saying that the city cannot leave this to the hotel business. It must be set up for business, not public service.
In short, right now it is necessary to take a difficult decision to preserve Elizabeth's spa with continuous operation and to proceed with the necessary investments that have been delayed for many decades, not to wait for a savior investor who will rid us of the problem, because he will also rid us of the public bath, and to start behaving like a proper householder who invests, evaluates for future benefit.
It's the last time to decide between simple and right. We are for choosing the right one. All advertisements for loans, credits and similar time bombs are full of simple solutions with the promise of a sun-lit tomorrow.
It's always the same with the smiling investor who appreciates whitened teeth from a smooth and sun-kissed face with Bob Saint-Clair gestures and gold Rolexes on the wrist. Phrases pour out of him about synergistic effects for the city, appreciation, quick returns, solving problems, and by the way, he briefs you face to face on all the positives resulting from the fact that he will deprive you of basically everything. Our city dignitaries have been rushing to these solutions for the last decade, and so we are left with steam over the pot from the entire spa industry. The pot is being stolen from under our hands and the steam is slowly disappearing.
And that we can't do anything about it? But but. How long has it been said that it can't be done? That Elizabeth's Spa is past its zenith and there is no investment? Look at preparations for repairs, complex revitalization and partial projects ready for implementation.
From the chairman of the board, Ing. Václav Benedikt, everyone made fools of themselves when he told them that it would gradually work. And look, the first repairs are underway, the replacement of windows will begin this year (403 on the facades, 102 on the roof) and with that will come a huge energy saving. A complete repair of the truss and roof sheathing, which is original to 1906, like many on the building, is being planned. It will be ready for implementation in 2022. By the end of the year, a comprehensive analysis of the operation plan of the entire building, including a financial analysis, will be submitted. Renowned experts from universities and many years of experience contribute to this strategic document. A complete inventory of repairs, reconstructions and renewals is prepared. All for gradual release.
Look at the amount of perfectly done work and service to our clients. Thousands of people who keep their health here. Many more who, thanks to the care here, return to a full life after serious illnesses and fatal accidents. Alžbětina's spa has professional staff, often with decades of experience.
If it doesn't matter to you either, join the competition, visit the website www.spa5.cz, contact the company's management (vaclav.benedikt@spa5.cz), express your opinion. Or better yet, come up with a suggestion on how to help. Only together can we make positive changes.
We are interested in:
- How would you like it if you could entrust your parents and grandparents with professional spa care and thus extend their lives?
- How would you like it if this public service continued to be available to practically everyone?
- And what would you say if this tradition disappeared?
- Do you think that a spa town with a 650-year-old tradition should have its own public bath?
- Do you think that hotels with their own private operations are sufficient for the spa industry?
Authors: Asset Media
Source: denik.cz
