Šternberk will build a new kindergarten, it will cost 30 million

Šternberk (Olomoucko) - The town hall in Šternberk has received a four-million-crown subsidy for the construction of a new kindergarten in the Světlov area. The new building, which should provide facilities for more than a hundred preschoolers, is expected to be completed by the next school year. The total investment will exceed 30 million crowns. The new facility is primarily aimed at helping the city solve the problem of a shortage of places in kindergartens. This was reported by the town hall spokesperson Irena Černocká.
     "The technical condition of some of the existing facilities is at the end of their lifespan and they need to be replaced. Therefore, the city decided to build a four-class kindergarten with a capacity of 28 children in each class in Světlov," said the spokesperson.
     The total costs for the construction of the kindergarten will amount to 30.8 million crowns. The city this week received a subsidy of over four million crowns, which was approved by the regional council committee. "The project for the construction of the new kindergarten in Světlov is already underway, an open tender for public contracts has been announced so that the city can receive offers from a wide range of suppliers," the spokesperson stated. The city expects to receive bids from applicants for the contract in the coming days, and by the end of August or early September, it should know the supplier. The supplier will then begin construction.
     The town hall originally planned to build two new kindergartens, each for 40 children. However, based on an economic evaluation, the construction of one four-class kindergarten ultimately won out. The kindergarten will be built on "greenfield land." It is expected to serve children in 2013. Until then, the MŠ Hvězdné údolí, which is in poor condition, will remain operational, but the local problems are no longer tolerated by health inspectors. So far, the city has only made partial adjustments there. Preschoolers will then move to the new facility.
     The current maximum capacity of the kindergarten in Šternberk is 364 places in 12 regular classes and two classes specializing in logopedic care. The city also has an agreement with the municipality of Lužice, which accepts children from Šternberk. In this year's enrollments, parents submitted a total of 214 applications, of which 32 were duplicates and some applicants did not meet the established criteria. A total of 112 children can be accepted into kindergartens in Šternberk, and another ten into MŠ Lužice. Thus, about 40 children remain without a place.
     Other towns and municipalities in the region are also struggling with a shortage of places in kindergartens.