Elizabeth's Spa, or Spa V, is one of the dominant features of the center of Karlovy Vary. Unfortunately, a landmark that the city cannot be properly proud of. The very first sight, when the plaster is peeling off in places and the windows reveal that they hardly fulfill the function of thermal insulation of the building, suggests that the only spa house owned by the city is not in good condition.
The current management of the joint-stock company Elisabeth Spa plans to change the situation. But it will be a slow process. However, according to the chairman of the board of directors, Václav Benedikt, there is no possibility that the city will get rid of this architectural pearl.
Can you briefly outline the current situation of Elizabeth's Spa?
The current situation is quite sad. Even the management of the company and a few people, literally heartthrobs, enthusiastically maintain the building and do everything to make it fully functional. However, this does not change the fact that both the building and the operation are extremely outdated. Partial emergency states are also defined here. We also constantly try to prevent accidents. For example, it happened to us that we were dealing with a situation where our boiler could explode.
So should spa visitors be afraid?
Definitely not. It is thanks to those kind hearted people that the operation is fully functional without any danger to health or property. But it is outdated. The building underwent the only major reconstruction in the seventies. The partial repair, when saunas and wellness facilities were added to the pool center, dates back to 2004. But that only concerned the pool center. So the facility's equipment is from the seventies. With a bit of exaggeration, it is a technological open-air museum.
What do you see as the causes of this state of affairs?
It is also based on the historical context of the building. It was designed as a summer spa, it did not have year-round operation, so energy losses in winter were not taken into account. The condition of the building is actually still very authentic to 1906. There are also simple window coverings in some places, which are also in poor condition, so we lack a lot in terms of energy. This is the biggest minus of our facility. We cannot complain about the workload of the staff and the procedures. Here we have a big one. But the truth is that in the past, for example, there were fewer baths, which is related to the time when the thermal hotel and other hotels in the vicinity did the balneo business. When they were dry, so to speak, we had 2500 treatments a day! There are over 90 bath tubs, but only six are currently running. However, this does not mean that the rest of the space is empty. We try to use them for other things, we rent them, so we also offer a number of other services. The problem, however, lies in the already mentioned obsolescence of the building and also in the significant level of staff. This generates a loss of clients for us. Another problem, which again stems from the historical context, is the fact that the building does not have its own accommodation capacity and there is a lack of parking spaces. So we don't have the benefits of convenience, which is so-called in today.
How do you solve the lack of accommodation capacity?
In order to even be a spa, we must have a signed contract with the accommodation facility. After the amendment of the law, the spa building must have its own accommodation or it must be contractually secured. In this regard, we cooperate with the Imperial Hotel. These are all accompanying minuses that make us unable to compete. Paradoxically, however, we find that clients regularly return to us precisely because of the quality of our procedures and services provided. We offer spa care of the highest possible quality. Satisfied and regular clients are the driving force and motivation for us to maintain this prestigious spa operation. It is the only comprehensive spa building in Karlovy Vary.
So maintaining this traffic is a priority for you. On the other hand, you are talking about the neglect of the object. What do you think are the ways out of this vicious circle?
It is a priority, but unfortunately it was not until the recent past. Even if someone said the opposite. I don't want to get into political debates and dishonor the past management, but unfortunately a good landlord should have treated the building differently. The fact that a concession procedure took place here, during which all investments were stopped, brought the object to the state it is in. From a historical point of view, Elizabeth's baths were built perfectly. Those basic principles keep the operation viable to this day. We agree with the city management that Spa V is precedent-setting and essential. We therefore have an idea of two possible ways of revitalizing them, or of preserving them.
What are they like?
The most complicated, but the most correct one is for the operation and the building to remain with the city. This means that we would have to orient ourselves to the common subsidy titles that are available.
Do you have the option that someone else would be the operator?
This is the second option. If an investor, a potential concessionaire, were to appear, of course I don't take it according to the original concession procedure, but if it were to appear, then why not. Of course, under the condition of maintaining comprehensive public spa services. And that is always very complicated. Of course, the investor wants to make money. The city is concerned with the preservation of values and the appreciation of property. Which can sometimes be against the investor's intentions. After all, it was shown by the concession procedure mentioned several times. When the project rolls over to the side of the investor's benefits, the city more or less turns into the proverbial cash cow to pay for the reconstruction.
But let's go back to the first option.
This is what I personally strive for the most. How to get money for the gradual revitalization of the building is under the direction of the city. Of course, we will be happy if we get to a bigger bundle of money over time. I have found several cases where, thanks to regular subsidies in the order of millions, it was possible to fix partial problems. When the investor managed to work for three or four years in accordance with the conditions of the subsidy titles, then he got access to larger reserves within the ministries. That's my vision. A nice idea, of course, but it would mean a huge amount of work. Grant titles are specifically determined. You must comply with the set limits, sustainability, usability of the object. I started with the ministries. The Ministry of Culture issues grant titles for the restoration of historic monuments. One of them is Regeneration. Within its framework, however, it can only make corrections, it must not introduce anything new. This program is therefore not entirely suitable for Alžbětina lázně, moreover, only small amounts can be drawn from it. Then there is the Architectural Heritage Rescue program, which is ultimately resolved through local governments. In addition, the achievable amounts are higher there. In it I see a potential path that would be suitable for our building. Other possibilities are emerging at the Ministry for Regional Development, which, unlike the Ministry of Culture, can also subsidize operations. One of the possible procedures is the Restart project. There, we are already working on setting the conditions in cooperation with the region. And then we also try other programs, such as Norwegian funds. But there is very narrow profiling everywhere, so we have to fulfill countless conditions to get into them. But it works, as evidenced by the case of the monastery in Teplé or the castle and chateau in Bečov nad Teplou. I hope we can do it too.
Do you have an estimate of how much it would cost to restore Spa V to satisfactory condition?
That's a complicated question. If we take all previous forecasts and projects, mostly from the time of the concession procedure, the amount ranged from half a billion to a billion. The question is how relevant these estimates are. However, this does not mean that the amounts are somehow overestimated or that someone misleads someone. Personally, I assume that the amount could be around half a billion.
It probably won't be easy to get half a billion gradually. How long do you think it will take?
It depends on what amounts we get. Each title has its limits. For example, you can get a million, a million and a half from Regeneration. And just to restore. I don't see such a close connection with money at Restart. There is a total package of money, now I suspect a billion and a half. It depends on how the title is set up and how the pie will be sliced. In the case of Architectural Heritage Protection, this amounts to two, two and a half million crowns per year. This program was used for several years, for example, by the Tepel Monastery. It may seem that such sums are small for a building whose renovation is to cost half a billion. But if you make one facade for them, make windows, you will get energy savings. Moreover, they are things that can be seen. And then, if you meet all the conditions, there is a chance to get into some kind of reserve within the ministry.
Can you guess how long such a process could take?
That would be a very bold thought, and I don't want to be a fairy tale teller. My idea is that if we were to get into a program, it would be realistic to repair the spa within five years. But that would have to snort everything. If I give a range of five to ten years, it is closer to reality.
In a way, wouldn't it be easier for the city to sell Elizabeth's Spa?
I always say: if we have to choose between the easy way and the right way, let's choose the right way. Of course, the easiest way would be to sell the spa and get rid of the problem. In that case, in Karlovy Vary, we end the spa industry as such. I don't think that the mini wellness and balneo operations of the hotels could replace Elizabeth's spa. And that we would lose the last public spa operation in the spa town, perhaps not. We could pack our bags and move out. And most importantly: we are trying to be nominated to UNESCO as part of the Great Spas of Europe. The sale of Alžbětiny lázně would not indicate that we are trying to maintain the spa industry in Karlovy Vary.
Author: Petr Kozohorský
Source: idnes.cz
