New School Construction in Kronshagen: A Financial and Planning Analysis

A New Era for the Gymnasium in Kronshagen

The municipality of Kronshagen has been intensively discussing the future of its Gymnasium in recent weeks. Given the growing number of students and the challenges posed by the aging building, the construction of a new school has been favored as a long-term solution. In February 2026, several meetings of the committees for education, youth, construction, and economy focused on key reports and analyses. The feasibility study and cost comparisons between renovating the old building and constructing a new one have provided clear recommendations for action.

Cost-Effectiveness: Why the New Construction is the Better Option

The municipality has evaluated various scenarios, including the preservation and renovation of the existing building as well as the construction of a new building in different configurations (three, four, and five tracks). A cost-benefit analysis over a 25-year period clearly showed that a new construction is more financially advantageous.

The total costs for the four-track new construction project, including the demolition of the old building, amount to 104.783 million €, whereas the renovation of the existing building would cost 114.120 million €. The new construction not only offers financial benefits but also time-related ones, as the construction period can be shorter and the logistics simpler. In addition, the new building is more energy-efficient and barrier-free, which also speaks to the long-term attractiveness of the school.

Financing and Refinancing: Challenges and Solutions

Financing the project is a central aspect. The new construction would require an investment of approximately 36.75 million €, with depreciation over 80 years. The municipality plans to finance the new school through loans, which would result in annual repayment and interest costs of around 1.2 million €.

A possible refinancing option is through school fees, with the amount depending on how many students from outside the municipality attend the school. The higher the proportion of external students, the greater the refinancing potential. Based on the current estimate of 50% external students, partial refinancing is possible. However, it should be noted that changes in the school law could affect the possibilities for reimbursement.

In addition, funding programs can be used to reduce investment costs and ease the financial burden. Another advantage of the TU/TÜ model (turnkey contractor model) is that the municipality incurs fewer administrative costs, as planning and construction are handled by a single entity. This model reduces investment costs by approximately 2 million € and the annual burden on the budget by around 1.2 million €.

Planning and Public Participation: The Path to Decision-Making

The planning process for the new construction is one that is closely coordinated with all parties involved. The municipality has already conducted workshops and participation events to further refine the needs assessment. The goal is to achieve consensus on the future structure of the Gymnasium.

In the second half of 2026, the committee will vote on the final decision. All variants will be re-evaluated, and the framework conditions for implementation will be defined. A decision on the next steps is planned for March 2026, with the four-track new construction variant currently being the preferred option.

Conclusion: An Investment in the Future

The new construction of the Gymnasium in Kronshagen is not only a necessary modernization but also an investment in the future of the municipality. With an economically viable, financially feasible, and timely realizable solution, Kronshagen has the opportunity to create a modern, efficient, and attractive school. The decision in March 2026 will play a key role in moving the process toward concrete implementation.