The land alone costs 3.7 million francs: Berners say yes to the “most expensive playground in the world”

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Despite a million dollar deficit and the looming austerity package: the city of Bern buys a new playground – for 3.7 million francs. The residents of Bern narrowly approved the purchase of the building in Bern-Bethlehem on Sunday. 52.7 percent of voters said yes to the ‘world’s most expensive playground’, as the bourgeois opponents had described it in the voting campaign.

Now the parking lot of the Galenica pharmacy and logistics group is located where children will soon play. The city pays 1,580 francs per square meter.

The common people found the costs completely exorbitant and called for a referendum. They accused the city of poor negotiating and wasting valuable building land. There was also criticism that the Galenica company was allowed to collect parking fees until construction of the playground began.

The left, on the other hand, argued that in the area where many families live today there is not a single park or other place to play. According to the city, there was no alternative to the expensive building.

The SP’s financial director was surprised

Ultimately, the proponents prevailed. However, Bern’s financial director Michael Aebersold (SP) was surprised by the narrow result. He said on Sunday that he expected up to 70 percent of the yes votes. The Bümpliz-Oberbottigen district, where the playground will be built, voted against the purchase of the property.

However, it will take some time before the playground is ready. Next, the building department must submit a project planning loan to the city council. The purchase of the building land was just the – expensive – beginning. On top of this are the costs of building the playground. (lha/SDA)

Source:Blick