Ancillary buildings at the Uri hospital: the people decide on credit

The district administrator approves the loan for the outbuildings on the site of the cantonal hospital in Uri. The missing photovoltaic system on the roof of the new garage for emergency vehicles was criticized.

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With 58 yes (1 abstention), the district administrator approved the loan of 1.91 million for the outbuildings on the site of the cantonal hospital in Uri. The people of Uri will decide on the new editions. The total costs for the renovation and maintenance work amount to 6.08 million Swiss francs. The tied costs of CHF 4.17 million, which are the responsibility of the district administrator, were also approved with 58 yes (1 abstention).

Raphael Walker (SP/Greens, Altdorf) submitted the application to include the construction of a photovoltaic system in the project. This would increase the costs from 1.91 to 1.96 million Swiss francs. “You will look in vain for a photovoltaic system or at least for solar contracting or roof rental in the building plans or cost centers in the report,” he criticized.

Photovoltaic system: rental to third parties planned

Construction Director Roger Nager showed that the canton itself has no interest in making such an investment. The reason: the cantonal hospital in Uri receives electricity from the Göscheneralp concession at a preferential price of 2 centimes per kilowatt hour. For Roger Nager, renting out the roof area externally is the only option for the construction of a photovoltaic system. “The corresponding preparations are also being made,” assured the construction director.

Raphael Walker’s motion was defeated by a vote of 46 to 12 (1 abstention).

Elias Epp (CVP / Mitte, Silenen), President of the district building commission, described the planned structural measures as the most economically viable solution. And that is planned: The old hospital will be renovated, the rescue service will be housed in the annex and the staff building will be demolished. Extensive investments are being made in the supporting structure, in seismic safety and in fire protection for the old hospital. The new staff and on-call rooms are also being built here. The old annex building will be replaced by a new garage for the rescue vehicles. Elias Epp criticized the lack of a photovoltaic system on the roof.

The SVP parliamentary group was largely behind the project, as Roland Poletti (SVP, Schattdorf) pointed out. However, she was skeptical as to whether the loan of CHF 1.91 million would be sufficient. The higher prices could have a negative impact, especially on the procurement of materials. The SVP parliamentary group is also surprised that the loan does not include any photovoltaic systems.

CVP/Mitte warns to keep an eye on the costs

Franz Christen (CVP/middle, Schattdorf) also raised the question of whether the budget could be met in the current difficult economic situation. The investment costs for the new construction and renovation of the cantonal hospital, including ancillary buildings, will amount to more than CHF 120 million for the canton by the time construction is completed in 2025. “It is important to keep a clear eye on these costs,” says Franz Christen. “Because once all the construction work is complete, the Uri hospital has to pay the canton a significantly higher usage fee each year, and the hospital must be able to finance this in the future.”

The thrust is in the interest of the SP/Green faction, said Raphael Walker. Nevertheless, some of the structural measures would have provided material for discussion. The possibility of an alternative use or temporary use of the staff house as accommodation for refugees or other social and health facilities was suggested. “When it comes to the extension for the rescue service, a more sustainable design would be appropriate and also technically feasible,” complained Raphael Walker.

The FDP parliamentary group took the view that one should stick to all the precautions for a later Minergie certification when a facade renovation is pending Marcel Bachmann (Silenen). A small drop of bitterness for some faction members is the roof of the new rescue service building. “The roof area would be very suitable for a photovoltaic system, but such is not implemented for economic reasons.”