After more than 70 years of good and loyal service, the Poya barracks, located on avenue du Général-Guisan in Fribourg, saw the last soldiers leave before the holidays. The fate of the site, where thousands of soldiers have passed over time, is not yet decided.
Owner of the place, the State of Friborg plans to build a sustainable district there. We are talking about 45,000 square meters where the barracks are located as well as the neighboring park of 55,000 square meters. Ten years ago, the Confederation had officially announced, via Ueli Maurer at the time, that it was going to leave the Poya barracks.
Well located at the entrance to the city of Fribourg, connected to public transport, the site is not lacking in assets for the future. In recent years, many possibilities have been discussed: an Olympic swimming pool and other sports facilities, cooperative housing, a detention facility or an eco-district.
Vision at 15 or 20 years
The latter is therefore currently holding the rope. Some heritage structures could be retained. An expanded strategic committee, including the municipality of Fribourg, has been set up. But the exit agreement scheduled for the end of 2023, which settles many details, has not yet been signed.
“It is a vision at 15 to 20 years which will unfold over many years”, explained a few days ago in the columns of the daily La Liberté the State Councilor Jean-François Steiert, in charge of the file. Until then, the premises will not remain unoccupied. La Poya will remain a lively place, assure the authorities.
asylum seekers
The worst thing would be to leave everything as it is for years, says the socialist magistrate whose brother Thierry is trustee of Fribourg. There are already many requests from cultural or sports associations as well as various circles that need premises. “Enough to fill the entire perimeter”.
The first tenants, benefiting from contracts for two to ten years, should settle next year, after the departure of the asylum seekers, temporarily housed on the site. From this month of January, the Confederation and the State of Friborg are using the Poya for them, with a capacity of 750 people.
This article has been published automatically. Source: ats