Renovated secondary school building opens in Petrinja

A school building in Petrinja that was badly damaged in an earthquake has reopened after a 11.5 million-euro renovation, with part of the historic structure converted into the city’s first student dormitory.

The building, constructed in 1871, will house classes for students in the grammar-school program of Petrinja Secondary School. Its other section has been redesigned as a dormitory with space for 40 students.

The renovation was carried out by Sisak-Moslavina County and financed through the European Union Solidarity Fund, Croatia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and state and county budgets. Spatial Planning, Construction and State Assets Minister Branko Bačić said investment in educational infrastructure remained important, especially in cities still rebuilding after earthquakes. He said keeping young people in their hometowns during their most formative years could create conditions for their return after university.

County prefect Ivan Celjak called the reopening another step toward better educational conditions for young people in Petrinja. Mayor Magdalena Komes said each reopening of a renovated building brought more life back to the city.

Officials also visited the construction site of Petrinja’s first student residence. The 5.75 million-euro project, financed through a World Bank loan via the ministry, is expected to provide accommodation for 66 students of the Teacher Education Faculty in Petrinja at the beginning of next year. They also inspected a 70-square-meter replacement home for a three-person family. In the Petrinja earthquake area, 549 replacement family homes have been built and 153 remain under construction.

The article also reported findings concerning about 5,000 tons of improperly dumped waste at the former Florijan Bobić furniture factory. Investigators found mixed waste containing plastic, textile fibers, metal, wood and glass, along with pathogenic microorganisms and elevated levels of some metals. The report found no indications of acute toxic waste such as mercury, cyanide or pesticides, and no evidence of carcinogenic waste. Further assessment is needed regarding detected ecotoxicity elements.

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When you spend the most beautiful days of your life in your city or municipality, the conditions are created for young people to return to their city or place after university.