Kurfürstenallee International school campus proposal
Bad Godesberg · IBIS and Max and Mary Kindergarten hand over a proposal for building a campus on the historical Kurfürstenallee.
For a long time now, there have been discussions about what to do with the “kurfürstlichen Zeile,” the area of historical buildings and town hall in Bad Godesberg. Where the closed swimming pool, music school and Max and Mary Kindergarten stand, an international school campus has been proposed. Independent Bonn International School (IBIS) and the kindergarten have suggested a plan to form the “Kurfürsten Campus,” which would include a music school. Their suggestion has been put forth to local politicians.
Nathalie Thelen-Sattler of IBIS says the first step would be to close the gap next to the kindergarten on Kurfürstenallee 7, and this should be done quickly. The school needs more space. Currently, IBIS is located on the Heiderhof and schools children up until the sixth grade. To accommodate a grade 7 and 8, they would need the space on Kurfürstenallee. In the proposed two-story building with a top floor as well, chemistry labs would be included as well as a digital library and other features. The classrooms would be in the current kindergarten, which would have to be temporarily moved according to Christian Rollmann, a co-founder.
The second step would be to erect a building between the current swimming pool and the music school. Rollmann said that details about what would be housed where would still need to be determined. If it is up to IBIS and Max and Mary Kindergarten, the music school would be a part of the campus. “If the city wishes, investors would be ready to build a new music school on the property,” commented Rollmann.
As part of the project, the historical building which currently houses the music school would be renovated and integrated. The building stands under historical preservation. Depending on what would happen with the pool, the school could also be expanded in that direction.
“We want to have an international campus with an international library, which could also be open to everyone,” said Thelen-Sattler. Rollmann emphasized that the plans can only be carried out when a definite green light is given by the city. “The project doesn’t require any changes from city planning because these plans work within the existing building plans. A decision about the future of this project rests with the responsible political bodies,” explained Rollmann.
It isn’t yet clear how and if the project will proceed. According to Thelen-Sattler, their plans are at the moment with District Mayor Simone Stein-Lücke who is “enthusiastic about the prospect. For Bad Godesberg as an international host city, the topic of international education is very important.” (Orig. text: Ayla Jacob)
