District invests over 20 million euros in construction measures in 2023

The need for construction and renovation of buildings - especially schools - in Waldeck-Frankenberg is greater than ever: never before have so many projects been on the agenda. Since capacities and human resources are limited, a priority list has now been drawn up: 20 million euros have been budgeted for this year alone. In addition to that, there are about 15 million in remaining funds to be implemented.

More staff and time are needed
"Our building programme is historically more extensive than ever. The lion's share is taken up by the schools, but there is also a need for action in the administrative buildings," is how District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst describes the situation. In order to plan the measures in a targeted manner and implement them step by step, the district has drawn up a list of priorities. "Our human resources are limited, so we cannot meet the demands placed on us immediately, but only gradually. "However, the head of the district administration also makes it clear: "We will definitely implement all the planned projects, only the time frame has to be extended and more personnel resources are needed.

11 projects to be implemented in 2023
In 2023 alone, construction and planning measures with a total volume of around 20 million euros are on the agenda. The Edertal primary school, the Helenental school in Bad Wildungen and the sports hall of the Ense school in Bad Wildungen are already being implemented or completed in 2023. Furthermore, the renovation of the Humboldt School Korbach, the extension of the primary school in Helsen and the construction of the replacement building at the Schlossberg School Rhoden. In addition to the school construction measures, the district is completing the new administration building in Korbach this year and is accompanying the completion of the two health centres in Frankenau and Battenberg.

Also in 2023, the district will begin planning measures at the Regenbogenschule Frankenberg, the Geismar primary school, the Berliner Schule Korbach, the Hans-Viessmann-Schule Frankenberg, the Wrexen primary school, the Mittelpunktschule Goddelsheim and the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen. Furthermore, the plans for the technical renovation of the Korbach district hall and the redesign of the connection between the gatekeeper's house and the administrative office in Frankenberg are on the agenda. In addition to these, a further 11 projects are scheduled for 2023 and 14 for the coming years up to 2029. The construction measures already planned for this year and to be carried out due to the compulsory all-day schooling will lead to an estimated volume of around 75 million euros.

For all renovation, reconstruction and new construction measures, the district must take over the project management, planning, control and monitoring of the measures. This means, among other things: Determining requirements, developing room programmes, drawing up project plans, determining cost and time frames, carrying out award procedures, checking and applying for funding, commissioning, networking and monitoring planners and service providers and carrying out building inspections.

The overall process in the construction procedures has changed considerably in recent years. This is because, in addition to architects and specialist engineers, the measures must now increasingly involve participants from the fields of energy planning, sound and acoustic planning, pollutant remediation, surveying and health and safety coordination. In addition, there are challenges arising from general supply chain problems, scarcity of resources and the general shortage of skilled workers - both in the planning offices and the trades, as well as in the administrative sector.

"The district, as the responsible body for the construction measures and operator of the buildings, has a special responsibility of which we are very aware," says Jürgen van der Horst. "In order to be able to implement the building programme carefully and sustainably, it is therefore important to set up a clever and realistic strategy." In the context of prioritising the projects, this has been done. With regard to the implementation of the measures, the district administrator once again makes it clear: "It is not a question of if, but when. We need more staff and time."

Keywords:

Specialist Service Building Management Specialist Service Schools and Education