The construction of the Sargans cantonal school has caused some difficulties in recent years. In 2014, the St. Gallen electorate approved a loan of CHF 49.9 million for the construction. But then the planning was stopped in 2016 due to objections. The canton was able to resume work in October 2021.
Additional costs due to interruptions
According to a communiqué from the canton, this interruption caused “considerable additional costs”. These additional costs were caused by new standards and requirements for heating, sanitary and electrical systems as well as higher costs for site safety. In addition, the needs of the cantonal school have changed in recent years, for example in IT and new forms of learning, which have resulted in additional costs.
Already the second supplementary loan
Due to these additional costs, the government of the Canton of St. Gallen has now applied for a second supplementary loan of CHF 7.5 million. This application is to be presented to the cantonal council in the coming summer session. It is the second supplementary loan that the government has applied for. In 2020, Parliament approved almost three million francs for a temporary arrangement that was necessary due to the delays.