The council decided to reshuffle funding and draw on a credit line from the European Investment Bank to cover the higher than expected cost of building the concert hall. The hall was earlier estimated to cost HUF 5.8 billion, but the lowest bid in a tender to build it was more than HUF 500 million over the mark.
The council originally allocated HUF 10 million for Operalia and expected sponsors to cover the additional HUF 125 million cost of the event - Pécs will host the Operalia semi-finals - but potential sponsors have shown little interest in supporting the contest. At the meeting on Wednesday, the council approved a HUF 95 million increase of the budget for the event from reserves, to be repaid when sponsors are found.
