Poruba Is Transforming and Collecting Awards
STYLE
www.posiv.cz ǀ 67
the most recent ones. We have focused on greenery,
and especially the iconic Poruba courtyards. Thanks
to funding from the Norway Grants, we have greened
almost five thousand square metres of concrete
this year. We have managed to revitalise several
parks. For example, those on Družby Square, Jan
Neruda Square and its surroundings, the park by
Poklad Culture Centre and most recently the park on
Vítězslav Novák Square. I am pleased that all of these
places are full of people. This is the biggest reward
for us and a sign that the restoration of these spaces
has been successful. I am most proud of the park
at Poklad Culture Centre, the revitalisation which
was completed this spring. Its dominant feature is
the Vladislav Gajda fountain, which used to stand on
Masaryk Square. Until last year, it was a place where
people just walked through. Today, people go there
to rest and many even picnic. That is the proof that
they feel good there. That is only part of the projects
that we've carried out. We have other projects that
have won awards from experts.
What are the awards?
We try to present what we do to the outside world as well.
It's not that we want to boast that we have succeeded
at all costs, but we want to know the opinion of experts
and show that interesting things are being created
here. That's why we submit projects that we believe
are truly exceptional to various competitions and we
regularly win awards. This year alone, the Harmonie
Nursing Home succeeded in the Adapterra Awards
competition, and the reconstruction of the Arc won
an honourable mention in the Building of the Moravian-
Silesian Region competition. I am particularly pleased
about the Arch because its renovation was truly special.
What was special about it?
Those who don't live in Poruba might not understand, but
the Arch is the symbol of the district, it's simply a matter
of the heart. It is the only Poruba building that has made
it onto postage stamps, and for most people it is the first
thing that comes to mind when they hear the word
Poruba. But it was already a somewhat worn-out symbol
and we managed to bring it back to its original splendour.
Suddenly, the whole place took on a completely different
quality. In the future, we want to continue reviving the site
towards the Castle Park, which is located nearby.
So far, we've talked about the past and about what
has been done. But what about the future?
I've already said that we have a lot of projects in
the pipeline. It always depends on the finances, and
there are never enough. I'd like to thank the city, which is
involved in the most important ones. Next year we would
like to revitalise the second park at the Poklad Culture
Centre. While the first one is used for rest, the second
part closer to Čs. Exile street should be used for sports.
We will continue the transformation of the surroundings
of Vítězslav Novák Square and with the help of a grant we
want to build a new house for respite service. We would
also like to start with the reconstruction of Main Street in
the area near the roundabout, which is called Florida by
the locals. It will be a major transformation of the area
and should create a relaxation zone full of greenery, with
water features and, above all, a raised platform that can
be walked on. The project looks beautiful and I believe
that it will be an ornament to Poruba.
Mrs. Mayor, thank you for the interview.
“
This is the biggest reward for us and
a sign that the restoraon of these spaces
has been successful. I am most proud
of the park at Poklad Culture Centre,
the revitalisaon which was completed
this spring. Its dominant feature is
the Vladislav Gajda fountain.
”
Harmonie