MU continues to support renovations and repairs at dormitories
New facade, thermal insulation and windows at Vinařská; renovation of roof terraces at Bří. Žůrků or ongoing two-year modernisation at Kounicova – Masaryk University is paying a lot of attention to regular maintenance of all nine dormitories operated by the Accommodation and Catering Services (ACS). Tens to hundreds of millions are invested into renovations or small-scale repairs annually.
Traditionally summer months are the busiest at dormitories in terms of builders and contractors, as the residents are away. In the summer of 2024 MU managed to finish the renovation of rooms at Bří. Žůrků on schedule, in spite of major technical difficulties.
All repairs and renovations must be carefully planned to avoid significant disruptions to the enjoyment of the premises for residents. “This summer and in early autumn we had to renovate the roof and sun blades at Vinařská due to the consequences of damage by hailstorms in spring and extreme rainfall in September since, in the latter case, thirteen rooms were damaged by water leakage. The overall costs amounted to CZK 37 million,” says Head of Accommodation at ACS Renata Pavlicová.
In full swing since last November is the renovation of the Kounicova dormitory. It will welcome back its residents at the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year, with six hundred beds added to the portfolio. “Everything is going according to plan; the works at the moment include flooring, electrical installations, ventilation, air conditioning and sanitary installations. The installation of furniture should commence in January,” says Marcela Dvořáková from the Infrastructure Development Office. The dormitory will offer double rooms with en-suites. Situated on the first floor is a unit with two double rooms and accessible bathroom for students with special needs.
Going forward, the university wants to focus on the financing of the necessary repairs, amounting to CZK 200 million. These plans include the replacement of shaft plumbing at Vinařská (at CZK 40 million) and Bří. Žůrků (at CZK 20 million).
“The management of the university is in agreement that affordable accommodation is among our long-term priorities. We acknowledge the fact that there is a lot of room for improvement, dating to the times when there were long-term vacancies at our dormitories. Our medium-term plans include the construction of a new dormitory complex in the Bohunice campus. We are also discussing the option of building a new wing at Vinařská,” says Masaryk University Bursar David Póč. The campus option sees the construction of dormitories with almost 1,000 beds, as does the Vinařská option. “The concentration of facilities allows for easier administration and lower costs of operation, which in turn can be translated into lower prices of accommodation for students,” Póč adds.