Education
21st Century Makeover for 1880 Schoolhouse BY: ALEXIS MUNIER
With the new school year fast approaching, the push is on to finish renovations of the 1880 schoolhouse in Saanen before the first class bell rings. Donated by the people of Saanen to the John F Kennedy School in 2000, the unique historic building has been a source of local pride for well over 100 years. The plan to bring the magnificent property back to life – financed primarily by John F Kennedy Foundation’s fundraising efforts – has suffered its share of fits and starts. Progress has not always been easy and renovating the building according to local planning regulations has proved a challenge. Originally due to open in September 2012, the schoolhouse’s makeover has been slowed by the John F Kennedy School’s transition to foundation status two years ago and the need to secure funding. At this point, the exterior and structural work are substantially finished, which will allow the school to use two full floors of the building. It will, in time, include a new professional kitchen and dining room in the original basement,
as well as a large auditorium on the top floor. But completion of the entire project remains dependent on ongoing fundraising.
pealing to new students and makes it easier to attract boarding students to the area.”
Everything old is new again The shared vision of the school and the community is to build a modern, fully functioning schoolhouse that will benefit the entire population. It will serve as a beautiful centrepiece at the heart of the John F Kennedy School as well as a resource that can make all of Saanen’s residents proud.
The education of the Saanenland With three first-rate international schools in the area, Saanenland has long been known for its support of high-quality private education. World-famous all-boarding school Institut Le Rosey has campuses in Gstaad and Schönried, while Gstaad International School, which is also comprised entirely of students who board, is located between Saanen and Gstaad.
The renovations are designed to restore the original character of the building while at the same time incorporating modern energy consumption and safety standards. The result: a beloved building still recognizable by locals that is nonetheless ready for the ever-changing face of education today.
The John F Kennedy School is unusual in that 75% of children who attend the school are day students, which shows the confidence of local families and the value they place on education here at home.
“After so many years this building changes the nature of the school forever,” says John F Kennedy School Director Andy Croft. “It allows us to create a strong educational programmes for students up to 16 years of age and to meet internationally recognised IGCSE standards. It makes the school even more ap-
Since 2011, the school has been run by the John F Kennedy Foundation, a Bernese foundation committed to investing in the school and to the ensuing benefits felt in every aspect of the Saanenland. The school has been part of the Saanen community since 1971, and in that time thousands of children from all over the world have been educated there.
Gstaad Living
Ten-Year Overhaul of Road to Zweisimmen Underway Saanenmöser
Zweisimmen
Mosenried
Ledigrabe Stryfelersweidli Rychestei
im Tuft
Gruebi Riedli
2017 - 2019
2020 - 2022
BY: GSTAADLIFE
Work has begun on the decade-long renovation of the road from to Saanenmöser to Zweisimmen. Originally constructed in the 19th century and rebuilt in the 1940’s and 50’s, the road has long been overdue for a full makeover. Citing drainage difficulties, the potential for landslides and little to no existing shoulder, officials say the 10-year plan will be completed in stages: The first four stages
2009
2016
2014
2013
2015
will run from 2014 to 2016 for the Mosenried to Reichenstein portion of the road, while the roadwork on the Reichenstein to Saanenmöser section will run from 2017 to 2022. It’s a long road to reconstruction After a building permit was issued by Canton Bern, preparations on the project began – including the successful acquisition of several thousand square metres of land and the demolition of the old Wegmeister operations center in Mosenried.
The valley side is the first to be tackled. There, retaining walls will be built and the main body of road repaved. New drainage pipes will be installed to minimize future damage from rain and snow, and the side of the road bordering the mountains will be rebuilt to prevent landslides. The danger of landslides is a real one, given that pollution and damage from vehicles and lorries now cause the slope to slide several millimetres per year. This slippage, along with excess water runoff, is enough buckle the pavement severely. Work has already begun and the first section is expected to be finished no later than mid-December 2013. The road is being renovated in “halves,” meaning one lane will be sectioned off and worked upon while the other lane supports all traffic. Stoplights on both sides of the stretch of construction mean drivers who encounter green lights will proceed directly, while those that hit red could have a waiting time of up to 10 minutes.
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