Dear residents of Bex,
On September 28, we will vote on whether to accept or reject a study credit for the creation of a new school complex in the heart of our town. Although this credit was already approved by 64% of the Communal Council on May 5, a committee made up of members of the UDC and PLR launched a referendum against this project, spreading claims that are as simplistic as they are misleading (see our fact-checking). The irresponsibility of the opponents has led to the creation of a support committee in favor of this new school.
Building new school facilities is urgent. Too many students are already housed in temporary containers, and this cannot go on any longer! For more than four years, our authorities have been working on this problem, and several necessary steps have already been taken: a feasibility study showed that the Pré-de-la-Cible site was the only one suitable for hosting these new buildings, and an architectural competition selected the best project among 27 candidates.
This project is the best option, for several reasons. It is the only one that allows for phased construction according to our financial capacity. Its integration into the surrounding area is harmonious and avoids creating oversized buildings that are harder to manage for students. It also offers strong potential for future expansion.
The study credit will serve to refine the costs and, if necessary, revisit certain elements to reduce the final bill. This is a crucial step to decide on the final details and the way forward. Political representatives from across the spectrum will be involved in the consultations, and everyone’s perspectives will be heard.
Accepting this study credit means moving forward and providing our children with the ideal place for their education by 2030. Rejecting it means going back to square one, wasting more than one million francs already invested in this project, and delaying construction by 4–5 years without any miracle solution, since all other options have already been studied.
The Support Committee for the new Pré-de-la-Cible School:
David Fankhauser, Martine Gerber, Marc Mundler, Stefano Regazzoni, Olivier Rouvé, Christophe Simeon, Gaëlle Valterio
Studying in temporary classrooms that are too hot or too cold is not the kind of environment where anyone wants to learn. Real classrooms are needed for everyone. The way we value a school also depends on how it looks!
The Support Committee has seriously examined the positions and proposals of the referendum committee.
What’s the outcome? Simplistic criticism and no viable alternatives. Here’s why, in 5 minutes of reading:
Why this project and not another?
The new school at the Pré-de-la-Cible site is the result of an in-depth analysis. Other locations proposed by the opponents were rejected for good reasons:
- The Perruet site does not have enough space for a new school complex.
- The land on Route d’Aigle does not belong to the commune and lies in a non-buildable zone.
- The structure, size, and volume of the Vinicole halls are not suitable for this project.
Why not build higher?
Cantonal regulations limit the height of school buildings for safety reasons and to ensure smooth movement of students within the premises.
“Throwing money out the window,” really?
This study credit is essential to refine the details of the project. The 3-phase plan is one of the concept’s strengths: the full construction is scheduled over about 15 years, making the investment manageable for the finances of Bex. If the credit is rejected, more than one million francs spent in recent years will have been wasted!
Enough with the containers!
A school is not just a building. It is a place of learning and socialization, where our children discover themselves, share, laugh or cry, play… Let’s provide them as soon as possible with an optimal, safe environment that meets today’s standards.
Four years of serious studies deserve respect and trust
From the beginning, this project has been conducted with rigor and transparency, strictly following legal requirements and the political process. The Communal Council validated every stage, including the study credit now submitted to the vote. The aim of the opponents is to break public trust with easy slogans and lies.
Discover the unique features of this project
Before voting, get informed! Visit our dedicated page.
Do you have doubts? Don’t hesitate to ask us your questions. Write to: soutien.prelacible@gmail.com