Maria vom Berg House to remain as asylum accommodation

The Canton of Zug intends to purchase the sports field and parking lot at the Menzingen Cantonal School. The long-term future of the "Maria vom Berg" facility on the same property remains uncertain.
 

The Canton of Zug plans to purchase the sports field and parking lot at the Menzingen Cantonal School. The asking price for the approximately 7,500-square-metre site, which also includes a storage shed, is CHF 23.9 million. The corresponding resolution to the Cantonal Council (Kantonsrat) was published a few days ago.

The site is located on land owned by the Menzingen Institute, and the two facilities were constructed by the canton between 2015 and 2018 as part of the renovation and expansion of the Menzingen cantonal school. According to the report, an easement exists in favour of the Canton of Zug, valid until 2034. The canton is thereby allowed to use the facilities and make them available to the public, but must pay the institute an annual compensation of CHF 200,000.

Securing "central infrastructure"
With the planned purchase, the canton not only aims to "relieve itself" of these payments, as it states, but also to secure the continued existence of the "central infrastructure" for the cantonal school. If no agreement is reached with the landowners in 2034 regarding the extension of the right of use, the Menzingen Cantonal School would lose both facilities. The contract also includes the establishment of a right of way. This is intended to ensure that the sports field and parking area are accessible on foot, and that maintenance vehicles can access them, and no compensation is required for this.

According to the report, a contract has already been signed with the Menzingen Institute, subject to the corresponding funding approval by the Cantonal Council, which will be decided on this autumn. If no referendum is called against the decision, it will come into effect in February 2027, according to the report.

At the centre of the image: the sports field and parking lot of the Menzingen Cantonal School; behind it: the "Maria vom Berg" facility.            Photo: Jakob Ineichen

Will the canton buy the "Maria vom Berg"?
It remains to be seen what will happen to the Maria vom Berg house, which is located behind the parking lot and sports field, on the same property. The canton has a right of first refusal for the building, valid until 2034. According to the report, however, it is not yet certain whether it will exercise this right: it must first be determined whether the building will be listed as a historical monument. This determination is "central to the purchase price, and no statement can be made regarding a possible purchase until it is available", stated the Department of Construction upon enquiry. A decision regarding the listed status is expected after the summer holidays.

The "Maria vom Berg" has been used as temporary asylum accommodation for approximately 100 people from 2024 on. The two-year lease expires at the end of July, and the contract then transitions into an open-ended lease, which can be terminated by either party with six months' notice, writes Andreas Hostettler, Head of the Department of Home Affairs.

Termination would not be in the interest of the canton: as the number of asylum seekers and refugees remains high, the canton continues to rely on suitable accommodation, explained Andreas Hostettler. "The canton is constantly monitoring the situation."

The municipality of Menzingen also expressed interest in the building: it wants to create affordable housing there. At the municipal assembly at the end of 2024, voters also expressed their support for the project, and approved an initial loan of CHF 3 million.

In response to an inquiry, Gemeindepräsident (mayor) Andreas Etter stated that they are still pursuing this goal. A feasibility study commissioned by the municipality has shown that this is "possible and achievable," even with the building's protected status. "We are in negotiations with the canton and the institute," he stated.