Construction work has begun on a new modern building with a ground floor and first floor, with a total gross area of approximately three thousand square meters, on Lukšićka Njiva behind the monument to Dr. Franjo Tuđman. The official opening of the works was attended by Mayor Denis Ivanović and Igor Šeremet, representative of the main contractor, Tekton Construction.
This is the largest kindergarten in Kaštela, which will be able to accommodate up to 200 children, divided into 13 educational groups – 5 kindergarten and 8 nursery. In addition to the premises intended for children, the kindergarten will also have all the necessary supporting facilities, including a kitchen for preparing meals, service rooms, toilets and storage rooms. The total value of the project is 7,1 million euros, of which 2,3 million euros will be co-financed from the European Union's grants.
- As we announced, we have started the construction of the largest kindergarten in Kaštela. It is a project worth 7 million and 100 thousand euros including VAT. At first glance, that does not sound like much, but in kuna it is a project worth 50 million kuna. The construction deadline is 18 months, which means that we hope that children will be able to attend this kindergarten by the end of 2026. We are aware that every year a certain number of children remain unenrolled in Kaštela city kindergartens, which is why we decided to build this kindergarten. A third of the amount is financed by the European Union, which will also be of great help and will not all come from the city budget. We can also announce the opening of another private kindergarten in the city of Kaštela by September, which will be able to accommodate 50 children. The ultimate goal is for all children to be enrolled in kindergartens, whether city or private. The price is the same, we keep repeating that. Over the past 12 years, we have not increased the price for parents, and we do not plan to, a quarter of the city budget goes to city and private kindergartens. As for the enrollment of children for this year, they start tomorrow. In about twenty days we will know the exact situation. In previous years, an average of 30 to 40 children remained unenrolled, but during the pedagogical year a solution was found when someone gave up or a place opened up in a private kindergarten. We must not run away from that, that is why we are building this kindergarten and I believe that we will continue to build them - said Mayor Ivanović.
The mayor said that Kaštela, in the last few years, had a natural increase and was among the top three or four cities. Now the situation is somewhat different, but, he notes, a series of new demographic measures have been introduced that help young families, especially those who are tenants, where the City co-finances 300 euros per month for rent. Assistance at the birth of a child ranges from 1000 to 5000 euros, depending on the number of children.
The kindergarten building itself will be designed in a modern and functional way, ensuring a clear and functional organization of space, enabling safety, visibility and a pleasant environment for children and employees. On the ground floor of the kindergarten, in the western part, there will be two kindergarten groups and a multi-purpose hall, while the eastern part will house four nursery groups. All group rooms will be oriented towards the south and will have access to the outside space. Three kindergarten and four nursery groups are planned on the first floor, and service rooms, storage rooms and toilets for employees will be located along the corridor. Children will also have access to a playground on the roof terrace, an additional space for playing and spending time outdoors.
- We are looking forward to one more in a series of kindergartens that we have built in the last few years. This is the sixth in a row, currently the largest. We are glad that we are building the biggest one right here and I hope that we will finish it as soon as possible. The construction site has been taken over, we have project documentation, supervision and contractors, we are all here. It is now up to us to do the work, plan for 50 people on the construction site, and to build the kindergarten in a year - said Igor Šeremet, representative of the main contractor of Tekton construction.
Photo: Ivana Topic
