Urgent renovation required for LUP's elementary school
The Mestlin and Kneipp Primary Schools in the district are currently facing challenges due to water damage. In the entrance area of the Kneipp Primary School, the floor is swelling as a result of the damage, while at Mestlin Primary School, water is dripping from the ceiling of some rooms. This unfortunate incident has rendered some classrooms at Mestlin Primary School unusable.
In a bid to address these issues, District Administrator Stefan Sternberg presented a grant decision worth 136,000 euros for the renovation of the Kneipp Primary School in April. This is the first grant decision for the Kneipp Primary School, with the specific details not yet disclosed. Meanwhile, this is the second grant decision from the LUP District for the renovation of Mestlin schools.
Mayor Thomas Frost has expressed hope that repair work on the water damage will begin in the coming week for both schools. He also mentioned that the Mestlin community cannot afford the renovation costs alone, implying that alternative funding sources are being sought.
The total estimated cost of renovating the Mestlin schools is almost six million euros. Possible ways to finance such a project include state or federal grants, special funding programmes, private donations or sponsorships, loans or bonds, public-private partnerships, and crowdfunding or community fundraising. The exact method being employed by Mestlin Primary School is not yet clear.
Despite financial constraints, the town council has decided to modernize the schools gradually. The repair work is scheduled to be completed before the start of the 2025/2026 school year in September. Mayor Frost also hopes that classes can resume on time for the start of the new school year.
As for the Kneipp Primary School, no information is given about the current status or repair work due to the water damage. The school, part of the protected DDR model building ensemble, is an important part of socialist heritage, according to Sternberg.
The weather may have caused rain to enter through the windows, potentially leading to a burst pipe in the upper floor at Mestlin Primary School. The repair work is currently ongoing in some rooms with drying equipment.
As the situation develops, more details about the renovation plans and funding for both schools will be made available.
Education-and-self-development continue to be a priority for the Mestlin community, despite the water damage challenges faced by their primary schools. To address these issues, District Administrator Stefan Sternberg has secured a grant decision worth 136,000 euros for the renovation of the Kneipp Primary School, with more funding expected for Mestlin schools from alternative sources.
