Ostopovice in the Brno region today opened a new school building instead of the two-year-old one

Ostopovice – Ostopovice in the Brno region today opened a new school on the site of an unsuitable single-story building from the late 18th century. After nearly 20 years, the municipality with 1,750 inhabitants managed to create a modern school complex that it had been lacking for over 200 years, said Mayor Jan Symon (Together for Ostopovice) to ČTK. In the new building, the school gained, among other things, a classroom for preschoolers and specialized classrooms for students who learn here from first to fifth grade.

The representatives decided on a major reconstruction of the complex in 2007 when the school faced extinction. At that time, the number of children fell below 30, and the building could only be used thanks to a health authority exemption. A few years later, the first modern low-energy building with a green roof, utilizing rainwater and heating through heat pumps, was created in the courtyard. The new two-story building was constructed in the same spirit, as the municipal leadership decided to proceed with it in 2017.

"Today we have about 70 children in preschool, we will be able to accommodate 100, and there are over 100 children in school," said Symon.

The municipality invested 120 million into the construction, receiving a grant of 78 million from funds distributed by the Brno Metropolitan Area. The demolished old building was previously used only by a branch of the Střelice Art School, which will also gain new facilities. The new building includes a school cafeteria, a gymnasium, and a community hall that will also be used by the municipality.

"After more than 200 years, our school's story has come to a close, as it had long lagged behind current needs. Now we are proud to have a modern school in the municipality," said Symon.

The surrounding area features typical older rural development, but according to the mayor, the new building fits in well. "It is a new landmark. The facade is made of glass-fiber-reinforced concrete panels and looks a bit like a sarcophagus," said Symon.

In recent years, the municipality also purchased a barn, which is effectively in the school courtyard and today serves as a facility for cultural events. "We are gradually transforming the school area; we will make further landscaping adjustments, and we have managed to make the area passable, it is publicly accessible and can be traversed from Školní to Družstevní street. We are also planning to install photovoltaic panels on the barn," added Symon.