Change of use – the former café in Dág is being transformed into a community space

A key issue for smaller communities is having access to a building where they can hold community gatherings, cultural events and other local activities. In Dág, nestled in a valley surrounded by the Pilis and Gerecse mountains, a dilapidated building that formerly served as a café is being modernised so that it can continue to be used as a venue for community events. According to the notice published in the Public Procurement Bulletin notice published in the Public Procurement Bulletin, the work will be carried out by VE-PANNON Építő, Fővállalkozó és Szolgáltató Kft..

EU funds are being used for the project

In this village, situated some 8 kilometres from Dorog and home to nearly 930 people, the new community centre’s club room and its function room, which can accommodate 60 people, will both provide venues for local events. According to the plans, the village library will also be relocated to the refurbished building.

The financial backing for the investment is provided by a non-repayable European Union grant under the TOP Plusz programme. According to the municipality’s project page, the grant amount for the development is 174.14 million forints.

The contractor was selected from four bids

Four companies submitted tenders in the public procurement procedure. The contract was awarded to the Győr-based VE-PANNON Kft., with whom the local authority has signed a contract. The works are due to be completed by next spring.

The remaining part of the building will also be demolished down to its structural framework

The repurposing project begins with significant demolition work: this involves the masonry of a section of the building measuring approximately 44 square metres, which is in poor condition, as well as the entire roof structure and its cladding over an area of 382.5 square metres.
In the remaining part of the building, the internal partition walls, floor structures and doors and windows will be removed, and the walls will be retrofitted with insulation. The floor will be rebuilt over an area of 214 square metres using a new reinforced screed, with damp-proofing and a thermal insulation layer, and will then be finished with stone cladding. A total of 25 wooden external and internal doors and windows will be fitted in the building. Plasterboard suspended ceilings covering nearly 192 square metres will be installed in the rooms.

A completely new roof structure is being built

Following demolition, the building – which is to be converted into a community centre – will be fitted with a new reinforced concrete ring beam, upon which a 321.5 square metre truss roof structure will be erected. The new roof will be constructed with tiled roofing and aluminium sheet metal structures.
The façade will be finished with a thin-coat plaster finish, whilst inside the building, 300 square metres of wall surface will be refurbished following the removal of the existing plaster.

The building services are also being modernised

As part of the project, a completely new water and sewerage network will be installed, along with a gas-fired underfloor heating system. The contractor will install the necessary utility connections and, by dismantling the existing wiring, will also rebuild the building’s entire electrical network.
The community centre will be accessible to people with disabilities: a new entrance and car park will be created, covered with a total of 39.3 square metres of paving stones. According to the plans, the modernised building will host cultural events, local programmes and community gatherings from spring 2027 onwards.