The state called applications in November, 2005, for HUF 2.5 billion in funding available under the programme, and five baths submitted tenders by the deadline in February, 2006. The government announced in April, however, that it was adding another HUF 500 million to the money available under the programme in order to allow all five of the spas which applied acces to the funding.
Under the programme, the Turkish baths of Eger will receive HUF 466 million, the Turkish baths of the Buda Charity Hospital will receive HUF 304 million, the Gellért baths will receive HUF 980 million, the Széchenyi baths will receive HUF 750 million and the Lukács spa will receive HUF 500 million. All of the baths but the one in Eger are located in Budapest.
The subsidies, to be put toward HUF 5.125 billion worth of renovations, will cover 70pc of the cost of preserving the baths themselves and 35-50pc of the cost of modernising the services offered at the baths, in line with a decision by the Europe Commission.
Source: Múlt-kor/Hungarian Press Agency (MTI)
