Groundbreaking Decisions of the City Council

Indoor pool renovation, construction progress of the Gresaubach daycare center, and a possible new school building In the recent city council meeting at the end of June, several agenda items were discussed that are pivotal for the future of the city of Lebach. Among other things, a valid cost estimate for the "Indoor Pool Renovation Project" was presented. However, the latest status report from the general planners (SIG Schroll Consult GmbH from Saarbrücken) was sobering: 13.9 million euros are estimated to bring the indoor pool back into operation at least in a flood-protected and functional condition. Further measures, such as improving accessibility, energy efficiency, and operational processes, are to be implemented depending on actual funding opportunities and available subsidies. "The figures presented now represent a burden we cannot bear. Therefore, we must try to generate additional funding," explained Mayor Klauspeter Brill at the public meeting. "At this time, in addition to the already promised or anticipated subsidies of around 6.1 million euros, neither the exact amount nor the final approval of possible further subsidies can be reliably identified, so there is currently a municipal share of about 8.9 million euros." Additional subsidies could be generated from the LuKIFG partial budget, which is specifically designated for swimming pool renovations. The administration has already applied for this measure with the Saarland Association of Cities and Municipalities. A decision on eligible measures and distribution criteria is expected at the beginning of July 2026, so the next city council meeting at the end of August should provide clarity on further funding." For this reason, the decision on how to proceed was postponed to the next session period. Furthermore, there was a report on the construction progress of the new daycare center in Gresaubach. The city is building its own five-group daycare center there, which is expected to be ready for occupancy after the summer holidays in 2027. "Although we have already experienced a slight delay, we are optimistic that we can make up for it," explained Helmut Wedig from the Kühn architectural office in Eppelborn, which is responsible for planning and execution. The earthworks have already been completed and the foundation slab has been formed; it will be concreted shortly. In addition, tenders are currently being prepared for scaffolding, roofing and facade, and windows. Where possible, local companies will be contracted to support the regional medium-sized businesses. The new daycare center will cost around 6.6 million euros – “a critically necessary investment in the future of our city and the future of our families and children, which, however, can only be managed with the help of subsidies,” emphasizes Brill. For a sustainable solution for the schooling and care of children in the school district "Aschbach, Dörsdorf, Gresaubach, Steinbach, Thalexweiler," the city council passed a fundamental resolution in its June session. In the previous session period, various options were extensively discussed (expansion and renovation of the existing buildings, relocation of the FGTS from Thalexweiler to Steinbach with the simultaneous relocation of the Steinbach daycare center to Thalexweiler, or a complete new build at an as-yet undefined location). Now, the council members decided in a secret ballot with a large majority (26 to 5) to pursue the path of “new construction of a primary school with an attached FGTS and a school gymnasium” in the Steinbach/Thalexweiler district area. “This option is only feasible if suitable land plots become available within a reasonable timeframe. If this is not the case, another solution must be found, which the council would have to decide on again,” explains the head of administration. "In any case, this measure is estimated at about 18 to 20 million euros according to current estimates. We will have to invest roughly between 10 and 12 million euros of own funds to be prepared for the challenges of the coming years and decades at the Steinbach/Thalexweiler school location." “In total, we are talking about investments of around 40 million euros in just these three projects over the next few years,” Brill concluded.