NEW EDUCATION CAMPUS ENHANCES VILLACH’S EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE

After nearly three years of renovation, the new Education Campus at Stadtpark in Villach has officially opened. With the completion of this modern campus, the city is taking another major step forward in implementing its education and kindergarten initiative.

MODERNISATION WITH A LONG-TERM VISION

The city and the federal government invested around €16 million in the renovation of the former Richard Wagner School, a protected historic building. The comprehensive refurbishment of the building, originally constructed in 1907, was carried out in accordance with strict guidelines set by the Federal Monuments Authority.

The modernisation focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, and modern infrastructure. As part of the construction work, the heating, electrical and sanitary systems as well as the fire protection measures were brought up to the latest standards. The gymnasium was also extensively renovated. In addition, new classrooms, group and functional rooms as well as a kitchen for fresh meals were created.

The outdoor areas were also redesigned, including new playgrounds and open spaces as well as improved access roads to the new campus. As part of these changes, a new traffic solution has been introduced: starting at the intersection with Fercher-von-Steinwand-Straße, Richard-Wagner-Straße now operates as a one-way street heading west. On the north side, several parking spaces have been converted into a “kiss-and-go-zone” where parents can stop for up to 10 minutes to drop off their children.

THE NEW EDUCATION CAMPUS OPENS ITS DOORS

The modern campus is now also the new home of Primary School 1 (formerly known as Khevenhüller School) and provides space for 13 classes. Around 300 students and teachers began classes when the campus opened in mid-February. On March 27th, the campus will host an open house from 2 to 4 p.m., welcoming the public to explore the new facilities.

In autumn, two kindergarten groups and two childcare groups will also open in the fully renovated building.

VILLACH’S EDUCATION AND KINDERGARTEN INITIATIVE

The completion of this major project marks an important milestone in the city of Villach’s education and kindergarten initiative launched in 2021. In recent years, the city administration has invested in the modernisation of the primary schools in Landskron, Fellach, Magdalen, Lind and Auen. In addition, the kindergarten at tpv Technology Park Villach, including the Mini Educational Lab (MEL), was newly built.

With the opening of the new Education Campus at Stadtpark, a total of 257 new childcare places have been created since 2021 – significantly exceeding the originally planned 100 places. Villach has therefore reached a childcare coverage rate of 92 percent in the kindergarten sector, surpassing the European “Barcelona target” of 90 percent.

For childcare facilities for children between the ages of one and three, the coverage rate currently stands at 41 percent, well above the EU target of 33 percent.

However, the expansion does not stop there: a further €20 million from the city budget has been allocated for the expansion of education and childcare facilities in 2026. New childcare centres in Vassach and St. Leonhard will be built later this year. By 2027, more than 500 additional childcare places are expected to be created in cooperation with private providers since the start of the education initiative.

The goal is to ensure high-quality education and the best possible childcare for families, with the long-term aim of achieving a 100 percent coverage rate in the kindergarten sector.

Thanks to the expansion of education and childcare services, such as the opening of the new Education Campus at Stadtpark, balancing work and family life in Villach will become even easier in the future.