The city of Äänekoski invests especially in new and functioning facilities for children and young people
The city of Äänekoski's investments this year total eight million euros. Special attention will be paid to services for children, young people and families with children, as well as sports facilities. The amount does not include the new building of the Koulunmäki school, which is implemented with leasing financing, nor the new kindergarten in Koivisto. Last year, 2022, the city of Äänekoski invested 9,7 million euros.
Plan picture of Koivisto's new kindergarten. The new log kindergarten will be completed in connection with the Koivisto school already next year.
The rest of the schools and kindergartens will be in good condition
Among the investments of the city of Äänekoski, the biggest project in the next few years is the construction of the C building of the Koulunmäki school. The total cost estimate is 21 million euros, and the demolition of the old school building will begin in June 2023. In the fall, the middle school students will start school in the sheltered premises in Teke, the implementation of which is to begin during the spring.
The new Koulunmäki school is currently on the planners' table, and the two-story building is approximately 5 square meters in size. Its appearance is consistent with other new buildings in Koulunmäki. In connection with the new middle school, there will be new youth facilities to replace the Youth Center Spot, and new facilities for the music academy as well. According to the plans, the new school building will be ready at the beginning of 500.
A new kindergarten will be built next to the Koivisto school, the design work of which is underway. The plans have also taken into account the wishes of the kindergarten and school staff. Hirsinen daycare is connected to Koivisto school and the buildings are connected to each other by a gateway. The 560-square-meter kindergarten is designed for about 50 children. The new daycare center will start construction in June 2023 and will be completed in the spring of 2024, and until then the daycare center will operate in the current rented shelters.
The biggest investment in the coming years is the new C building of the Koulunmäki school. Demolition of the old school building will begin in June.
We invest in play and exercise
At the request of Konginkanga residents, a children's traffic park will be built on Kirkkotie near the school during this year.
A new children's theme park is created through participation. The residents, and especially the children, have had a concrete influence on the theme and location of the new playground to be built next summer in 2023. The idea of a theme park came from a child from Tonkosko. In resident surveys, the park's winning themes were the jungle and the underwater world, and the most popular equipment was the cable slide and trampoline. The theme park will be completed next summer at Rantapuisto. The majority of respondents supported Rantapuisto on the merits of its calmness, safety and versatility. A budget of 400 euros has been reserved for the theme park.
Suojarinne's skate hall was completed at the beginning of the year and will be available to enthusiasts in early February. The former gymnasium of the therapy house was transformed into a skate hall for 70 euros and the activity is run by the local skateboarders' association.
The Äänemäki development project will also continue in 2023. The work includes the design of the triple slope, the installation of a new elevator, and measures related to improving lighting and snowmaking. The allocation for the project is 200 euros.
The repaired Bank Bridge is already in use, and its wooden deck will be completed during the spring.
In the Liikuntapuisto stadium renovation project, the repair of the main grandstand, which was already started in the fall, is being continued. In addition, the renovation of the area will be completed during the spring and early summer.
Äänekoski City Museum will open its doors in 2025
The former factory administrative office, located next to the Äänekoski Art Museum, across the road, is being renovated into the new Äänekoski Cultural History Museum.
The water roof repair of the premises, facade painting and renovation of the water and sewer pipes have now been done and the house is currently so-called in unloaded mode. Asbestos was discovered during the demolition work, which slowed down the progress of the work a little, but otherwise there have been no surprises. The original magnificent staircase has been preserved and the renovation will be done sparing the old.
The planning of the works for 2023 and 2024 is currently underway. An allocation of 400 euros has been set aside for the renovation this year, and around 000 euros for next year. By 300, the aim is to have the city museum completed in terms of construction techniques, and according to a conservative estimate, exhibition activities could start in 000.
The Äänekoski city museum is being renovated and, according to a conservative estimate, exhibition activities could start in 2025.
Development of the municipal area, "Sahara" and streets in good condition
The renovations of the Hiskinmöki and the sauna have mostly been completed. The surface repair of the upper floor of the Wahlman house and the repair of the intermediate floor will be done after the purpose of the house has been decided. The municipality's area development working group will make a presentation to the city council, which will make a decision during the spring of 2023.
Nicknamed the yet-to-be-built Äänekoski multipurpose square Sahara, the plans will be available in February. The square will be built in the form of a park, continuing the style of the park in front of the adjacent town hall. Plants and a parking space are also planned for the square.
The plans also include a reservation for a pavilion-type building, but there are no more detailed plans for its construction yet, and its realization is not yet certain. Without the pavilion building, 500 euros have been allocated for the construction of the multipurpose square.
The city's road projects for this year include, for example, the repair of Likolahdenkatu for 420 euros and the repair of Kirkkokatu for 000 euros.
For more information:
Vs. technical director Erika Räihä, 040 762 3811, erika.raiha@aanekoski.fi
News published 3.2.2023
