Le Rosey seeks solutions for new campus

As regular readers of this website will know, we tend not to publish articles out of the GstaadLife print edition word-for-word. But we think tomorrow's cover story (and sub-text) about the issues surrounding the search for a new Gstaad campus for Le Rosey are interesting enough without us riffing over the top. So here goes. Please feel free to comment below...

By Diana Oehrli

Le Rosey, the world famous international school based in Rolle, is faced with infrastructure and space limitations on its winter campus in Gstaad. Director Philippe Gudin (above) plans to move the campus to Schönried. If the project fails, Gudin is not disinclined to consider locations in alternative ski resorts. Le Rosey’s future in Saanenland will be sealed within the next few weeks.

Since 1916 Le Rosey has spent its eight week winter season in Saanenland. Today the school has 400 students and 200 employees. Whilst the girls board in Schönried, the boys’ accommodation is in Gstaad, and as all the students are taught at the main campus in Gstaad, the girls have to commute twice daily. Alas, the Gstaad campus is presently unable to offer an academically attractive package for wealthy, talented students. Gudin thus describes the untenable situation: “In Gstaad, there is no real infrastructure for art, music or in-school sport. The land on Ried is totally used up.”

Three solutions are being considered. Firstly, Le Rosey could give up having a winter campus altogether: “That would be a shame, and can already be ruled out,” Gudin reflects. “Le Rosey is the only school in the world with two campuses. We want to maintain this tradition, otherwise something would be missing.” The winter term puts the emphasis on sport, with skiing, ice hockey and curling taking up a large portion of the timetable.

Another possibility is to move the campus to another ski resort. “We want to stay in the alps, and snow security is a key criteria,” says Gudin. Montana, Saas Fee or Arolla would be possible locations, and the school has already received one or two offers from various destinations looking for an international school.

The third solution is to re-locate in Saanenland. “For the moment the search in Saanenland takes priority,” Gudin emphasizes. “We are looking for a new location in Schönried, with space for all of our students, as well as the necessary infrastructure.” Possible locations for the 20,000 square meter chalet-style project include Schlittmoos and Grüenbüetli. Le Rosey has presented its plans to the local authorities and expects their full support. Despite recently reserving these allotments for hotel construction, the Gemeinde intends to forfeit these projects in order to bend to the school’s desires. Gudin’s decision on the future of Le Rosey’s Saanenland campus is expected before the end of the winter. “If everything works out, we will stay in Saanenland. Otherwise we are not disinclined to look elsewhere,” the school’s director concludes.

Both the president of the Saanen Gemeinde, Andreas Hurni, and Gstaad’s tourism director, Roger Seifritz, feel compelled to avoid this eventuality. Seifritz conjectures that about half of Gstaad’s wealthy clientele is linked to Le Rosey. Hurni highlights Le Rosey’s importance for tourism in Saanenland, and Philippe Gudin shares this viewpoint. “Our students represent 50 countries, and carry Gstaad’s brand into the world.” Numerous families return annually, or reside in Saanenland. The Eagle Club without Le Rosey graduates remains an unlikely concept. Seifritz fears Le Rosey’s departure would damage Gstaad’s luxury tourism, and diminish word-of-mouth publicity through the alumni network.

Hurni is convinced that local authorities must ensure that the school stays in the region, even if this conflicts with efforts to increase hotel space and free up real estate for locals. “We have to be careful not to undermine the basis of our wealth in Saanenland,” Hurni cautions. “Despite a smooth planning process, construction is unlikely to begin before 2009.” After talking to local residents, Gudin also believes that Saanenland wants Le Rosey to stay. “Over the years, good relationships and close friendships have developed,” he says.

The rumor that the eight chalets on Ried have been sold is false. According to Gudin, a sale will only be discussed once the project for the new campus gets the go-ahead. “Since the new infrastructure is very expensive (Gudin estimates an investment of around SFr 60 million), we have to sell Ried for as much as possible.” While stressing the importance of funding for the project, Hurni is quick to point out that the redevelopment project in Gstaad would be subject to popular scrutiny. Gudin remains undecided as to whether Le Rosey will manage a redevelopment of Ried. Alternatively it could be sold off in its current state. Apart from funding the campus, the proceeds will go towards a new art studio in Rolle. “This will move us 20 years ahead of other international private schools,” Gudin emphasizes.

Comments

[Madame Eagle Club]

The end of an era....very sad, things will never be the same.