In the SJSC State Real Estate (SRE) construction tender for VSIA Valmiera Drama Theatre at 4 Lāčplēša Street, Valmiera, among the 9 bidders to increase the energy efficiency of the building, the offer of general partnership SBSC with the total contract price of 6.57 million euros (excluding VAT) was recognized as the most economically advantageous. If there are no appeals, a contract will be signed in the near future, and construction works will be started this autumn, informs Jānis Ivanovskis-Pigits, Director of SRE RE Development Department.
The construction works will be carried out in parallel with the operation of the theatre; the theatre will continue to occupy part of the premises and the contractor will have to perform them within 14 months from the moment of concluding the contract. The construction project for the renovation and energy efficiency works of Valmiera Drama Theatre has been developed by SIA “SESTAIS STILS”. As a result of the project, the appearance of the theatre will be restored, pleasant conditions will be created for the theatre staff and visitors, and 50% savings in heating energy consumption and costs will be achieved. At the same time, a new “black-box” hall will be built to enjoy theatre performances, which will provide convenient access for people with special needs and improve the functionality of the theatre. In the course of the implemented construction works, the foundations of the building will be additionally strengthened in order to ensure the longevity of the building and the investments made in it. Within the framework of the project, stage floodlights have been purchased for the Great Hall of the theatre, as well as it is planned to purchase spectator chairs and equipment for the newly built hall - sound, light equipment and stage constructions.
The implementation of the project is financed from the funds attracted in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture - the funding from the second round of selection of project applications for the measure No. 4.2.1.2. “Promoting energy efficiency in public buildings” of the specific support objective No. 4.2.1. “To promote the increase of energy efficiency in public and residential buildings”, European Union funds’ Operational Programme “Growth and Employment”, as well as state budget funding (including Covid-19 funding for stimulating the economy through investments in construction).
In total, in order to achieve heat and electricity cost savings in public sector buildings, as well as to improve the technical and aesthetic condition of buildings, in 2019 SRE attracted funding from the European Regional Development Fund for eleven energy efficiency improvement projects in public buildings - four of them in theatres: Valmiera Drama Theatre, New Riga Theatre, Latvian Puppet Theatre and Daile Theatre, two - in the buildings of the State Archives of Latvia - at Skandu iela in Riga and a project already completed in 2020 - Daugavpils branch of the State Archives of Latvia at Komandanta iela 9. At the same time, in 2020, the energy performance of the building was also improved at S. Broks Daugavpils Music Secondary School, the President's residence in Jūrmala and the new prosecutor's office building at Aspazijas bulvāris 7 in Riga.
In the conditions of the pandemic, respecting the precautionary and safety requirements, work on 43 different construction sites of national importance with a total budget of 156 million euros continues under the leadership of SRE. The capital company is one of 23 Latvian companies that have received the highest platinum award in the evaluation of the Sustainability Index of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, confirming the good governance and sustainability of its operations. SRE was founded in 1996 and it is sole (100%) shareholder is the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia.
