661 buildings, a wake-up call, and 150 million Swiss francs

The Canton of Fribourg owns 661 buildings. Many of them are dilapidated, many are energy-inefficient, and without intervention, the situation will deteriorate drastically in just a few years. The Grand Council approved a framework credit of 150 million Swiss francs by a vote of 81 to 4 to address the backlog.

What is now evident as a “significant backlog” in building maintenance is the result of decades of insufficient investment. According to the State Council, numerous buildings are in critical need of renovation. Without intervention, many properties will slip from the “somewhat poor” category to the “poor” category by 2032. Even in the past, immediate measures had to be taken to avert operational bans, such as for the Aula Magna at the University of Fribourg.

Energy, Safety, Value
The program pursues three goals simultaneously. Many state buildings are currently considered major energy wasters. This contradicts the canton’s climate goals and budgetary consolidation efforts. Fire safety and earthquake preparedness show significant deficiencies in several buildings, and the deterioration of their condition will cost more in the long term than targeted renovations.

25 million per year, 38 priority buildings
An average of 25 million Swiss francs per year will be available for the period from 2026 to 2031. In the first cycle, 38 buildings were classified as priorities. These include the University of Fribourg’s PER 08 and 09 buildings, which house the physics, sports science, and medical departments, as well as the main building of the Collège du Sud in Bulle. The measures include boiler replacements, systematic window renovations, and the optimization of heating control systems.

Two Phases, a Long-Term Commitment
The program is divided into a study and prioritization phase from 2026 to 2027, followed by the actual implementation through 2031. The entire renovation timeline extends through 2046. In doing so, the canton is not only fulfilling its legal obligation as the property owner but is also providing an economic boost. A large portion of the contracts is to be awarded to regional companies. The goal is to create healthy workplaces and modern learning environments—not just renovated facades.