Innovative training centre for civil protection in Chur
A future-oriented training centre for civil protection is being built in Meiersboda, on the outskirts of Chur. A sustainable new building made of wood is planned to replace the outdated school and accommodation building. The government has approved the construction plans with a budget of CHF 18.95 million to create state-of-the-art training infrastructure for civil defence and partner organisations.
The new training centre in Meiersboda, located in the municipality of Churwalden near Chur, marks a decisive step in the development of civil protection in the region. In view of the poor condition of the previous building, which was around 50 years old, the government decided to construct a completely new building. This decision followed in-depth analyses and sustainability calculations, which showed a new building to be significantly more efficient and cost-effective than a renovation.
The “ZicZAC” project proposal, which was the winner of a competition, envisages a three-storey timber building that blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings. The design impresses with its clear structure, natural building materials and a central atrium that provides light and clarity. The building complies with the Minergie-P-Eco® standard and integrates a photovoltaic system with an output of 100 kilowatts peak on the roof.
The new centre will not only serve as a training facility, but will also function as a deployment and command centre for the cantonal command staff in the event of an emergency. It offers optimal conditions for the training and deployment of civil defence and partner organisations and helps to ensure operational readiness and resilience in crisis situations.
The financing of the project will be submitted to the Grand Council for discussion and then presented to the Grisons electorate for approval. If approved, implementation planning will begin in autumn 2024, with construction starting in spring 2025 and commissioning planned for summer 2027. The project underlines the commitment to efficient, sustainable civil protection and sets new standards for training infrastructure in the region.