Rabenstein primary school: start of refurbishment in June
A total of 4.6 million euros is being invested in what is currently the largest school construction project in the city of Chemnitz - preparatory work is currently underway
Preparations are currently being made for the largest school building renovation in Chemnitz over the next few years - the remodelling and extension of the listed school building in Rabenstein.Before any major renovation work begins, neighbouring utilities such as water, electricity and gas must be disconnected for safety reasons and the construction site set up. This is currently being done. In addition, workmen from the utility company eins energie have demolished the school building's boiler.
The first trades are due to start work on the construction site from 17 June. This will be followed by the demolition of the interior facilities that need to be replaced, such as floors, sanitary facilities etc. After this demolition work, a new connecting wing and a second structural escape route will be built between the school and the sports hall.
Scaffolding for the roof and façade renovation will be erected at the end of July so that these trades can start work in August. In the meantime, painters, floor layers and plumbers will be working inside the school, renovating classrooms, common rooms and sanitary facilities.
The school includes an assembly hall and gymnasium as well as a large school garden and outdoor facilities. The latter can only be tackled in spring 2015, after most of the trades have completed their tasks. This complex extension and remodelling work should be completed by the start of the second half of the 2015 school year, when the school building, which was built in 1907, will also be barrier-free.
The estimated costs of 4.6 million euros will be shared by the city and the state of Saxony, which approved almost 1.8 million euros in funding for the renovation of the Rabenstein school at the end of May 2013.
The decision to use the school for teaching purposes again from autumn 2015 was made by the city council in connection with the city's school building expansion programme. Residents of Rabenstein campaigned strongly in favour of this school location in a community consultation, as the school had not been used as such since 2002.
Primary school pupils from Rabenstein have been taught together with those from Rottluff at the local primary school at Jugendweg 1a since 2000/2001.
Until 2002, there was still a secondary school in the Rabenstein school building, which then had to be closed due to declining pupil numbers. Since then, the building on Trützschlerstraße has been empty.
Background: With the school building construction programme, the city wants to have renovation work carried out at 21 schools for around 40 million euros, a large part for escape routes and fire protection. The city is sharing the costs with the Free State of Bavaria, which is helping it with its school building construction programme: 40 percent will be covered by the state and 60 percent by the city.