Lundens förskola
Time: Construction period approx. 1 year
Budget: SEK 33 million
Building materials: Brick façade / larch wood
Environmental certification: Miljöbyggnad Silver
In 2009, work began on a new preschool in the town of Vimmerby, where I had the privilege of serving as project manager. We worked broadly with working groups that included representatives from many different areas, such as cleaning services, educators, catering, property maintenance, politicians, trade union representatives, work environment coordinators, preschool management, operational management, VEMAB, environmental and health authorities, among others.
Numerous study visits were carried out at other preschools, along with meetings to thoroughly examine and address the needs identified in Vimmerby.
The original plan was to build the new preschool on the site of the former Vitsippan Preschool, located near Gästgivarhagen. This preschool had been partially closed due to indoor climate issues, and the site also included a civil defence shelter.
The project progressed with drawings and documentation, but encountered opposition from a neighbouring property owner who did not want a preschool built on that site. As a result, a decision was made to relocate the project to the second proposed site, the Circus Square. Around this time, I went on parental leave.
When I returned in the autumn of 2011, the project site had been changed once again, to the location where Lunden Preschool stands today. My task then was to continue the project from where it had previously left off. In 2012, we procured a design-and-build contract, and NCC was awarded the project. Construction work began in late summer.
The preschool was completed in autumn 2013.
Challenges: Convincing senior politicians to invest in sustainable construction rather than opting for a quick “temporary building” solution; aligning the project budget, which was originally based on a site already equipped with electricity, water and sewage; and managing the risk of a potential strike within the construction industry during that year’s wage negotiations.
As the project was completed both within budget and on schedule, I received recognition from the Municipal Executive Board in the form of a “gold medal.”
This was my first major project, alongside raising young children. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my manager at the time. Growth comes through challenges.
