New school construction begins after 15 years of planning; students move to temporary site

After more than 15 years of planning, demolition has officially begun for the municipal primary school De Kiem in Ternat, Belgium. This marks a significant milestone for the local education system, with students set to move to a temporary location on September 1.

The current school building will be completely demolished to make way for the new construction. Due to the lack of space for temporary classrooms on the existing site, a new temporary school has been established approximately 2 kilometers away in Rietstraat. This temporary facility, located on the grounds of football club Sparta Den Bos, will serve students for the next two years.

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We are very satisfied that the demolition work has started. The current school will be completely demolished. A new building will be built on that spot.

Local officials have worked diligently to prepare the temporary school, with municipal services putting in considerable effort to ensure it is ready for the upcoming academic year. Minor finishing touches, such as bicycle parking and classroom furnishings, are still being completed. The new school building is projected to cost around 9 million euros, with 70% covered by subsidies. The temporary school's cost is approximately 500,000 euros, also partially subsidized.

In conjunction with the temporary school's opening, new traffic regulations will be implemented in the surrounding neighborhood. One-way traffic systems will be introduced on Nieuwbaan and Affligemstraat to create a traffic loop. The 30 km/h zone around the school will be restricted, with a 50 km/h speed limit on the remaining sections of Nieuwbaan and Affligemstraat. The goal is for students to begin classes in the new, permanent school building by September 1, 2028.

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We had to work hard to get the temporary school completely ready.