The Municipality of Saanen has published the agenda for the extraordinary Municipal Assembly on Friday, 19 September 2025. On the table are several key items, from the redevelopment of the Parkhotel Gstaad to plans for a new concert hall, a larger Hornberg reservoir, funding for Gstaad Saanenland Tourism, and the purchase of the former post building in Schönried.

Extraordinary Municipal Assembly, Friday, 19 September 2025, 8.00 pm
Church of Saanen – doors open at 7.30 pm

Explanations of Agenda Items

1. Revision of Development Plan (ÜO) No. 27, “Parkhotel Gstaad”, including amendment of Zoning Plan No. 4 and forest boundary procedure

Proposal: Approval of the revised Development Plan No. 27

The Grand Hotel Park SA has operated the five-star Park Gstaad since 1910, continuously upgrading the property, most recently in 2010. The hotel currently comprises 90 rooms, which are to be reduced to around 78 through internal restructuring.

To meet changing guest expectations, Grand Hotel Park SA plans further renovations and conversions of indoor and outdoor spaces, including some changes of use. Some of these have already been approved under separate procedures and are not part of this plan.

Key elements include:

• Merging rooms on the 6th and 7th floors into suites or apartments for hotel/touristic use
• Allowing a modest gastronomic use in the Chalet Waldhuus
• Enlarging room units and the entrance area, adapting the façade and terrace, and adding an upper-floor extension
• Redesign of the wellness area and an extension at Chalet Waldhuus

The overall floor area increases only slightly. The share of hotel- or touristically managed apartments rises from approximately 35% to 42%.

To implement the project, Zoning Plan No. 4 must be amended, and the current Development Plan No. 27 repealed and replaced. The planning perimeter extends northwards to include Chalet Waldhuus, which brings the building zone up to the forest edge. Accordingly, the forest boundary is adjusted.

The new plan simplifies the presentation, replaces the current binding façade drawings with binding textual rules, and adapts all regulations to today’s standards.

Public consultation in late 2022 raised no fundamental objections; one input required safeguarding access to electrical installations. No objections were received during the public display (20 May–20 June 2025).

Recommendation: The Municipal Council proposes approval of the revised Development Plan No. 27, “Parkhotel Gstaad”, including amendment of Zoning Plan No. 4 and the forest boundary procedure.

2. Amendment of Planning Zone (ZPP) B3 (Development Plan No. 44, Saanematte, Gstaad) – Concert Hall / Sports Centre

Proposal: Approval of amendment to Planning Zone B3

The sports and cultural complex on the Saanematte, approximately 500m southwest of the Gstaad centre, is heavily used and currently features a swimming pool, fitness and spa facilities, a curling hall, a tennis hall, a concert tent, outdoor courts, and lodging houses. The concert tent is outdated, poorly heated, and no longer meets expectations.

The Municipality, Gstaad Concert Hall Foundation, and Sportzentrum Gstaad AG aim to redevelop the site with a new year-round concert hall, replacement multipurpose hall, upgraded outdoor areas, and renewed sports infrastructure. Existing facilities, such as the curling hall, mini golf, pool, and lodges, remain.

To realise this, ZPP B3 requires amendment. This also defines the watercourse zones of the Saane and Louwibach. The accompanying Development Plan No. 44 “Saanematte” must then be revised accordingly.

A public consultation (April–May 2024) yielded seven submissions, while the first public display (June–July 2025) generated two objections. A drawing error regarding the watercourse zone has since been corrected and will be publicly displayed again (29 July–29 August 2025).

Recommendation: The Municipal Council proposes approval of the amendment to Planning Zone B3 (Development Plan No. 44, Saanematte, Gstaad) – Concert Hall / Sports Centre.

3. Development Plan No. 88, “Tourism Area Saanenmöser–Schönried”: Amendment “Hornberg Reservoir”

Proposal: Approval of the amendment

The “Horneggli–Hornberg” ski area is central to the Gstaad destination. Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) intends to renew key lifts and ensure reliable snowmaking despite climate change. The existing Hornberg reservoir no longer has sufficient capacity.

The plan foresees a replacement reservoir of approx. 178,000 m³ with a maximum dam height of 9.8 m, classed as a small dam under cantonal supervision. Additional measures include relocating the Hornberg road, extending hiking trails and pipelines, expanding service buildings, and minor slope adjustments.

Public consultation in 2023 brought three submissions; the public display (June–July 2025) received no objections.

Recommendation: The Municipal Council proposes approval of the amendment to Development Plan No. 88, “Tourism Area Saanenmöser–Schönried”: “Hornberg Reservoir”.

4. Gstaad Saanenland Tourism (GST): New Financing 2026–2029

Proposal: Approval of an annual municipal contribution of CHF 1.6 million

GST currently receives contributions from the Municipality. After several interim arrangements, a comprehensive financing solution has been developed for 2026–2029.

Key points:

• Annual contribution of CHF 1.6m, replacing multiple individual project requests
• Binding service agreement with an “infrastructure list” and specific responsibilities (e.g. trail maintenance for bikers/hikers)
• Winter guest free public transport to be financed via increased visitor tax from 2026, generating an extra CHF 335,000 annually
• No inflation adjustment during the agreement period

The contribution will be charged to the municipal operating account, in line with past practice.

Recommendation: The Municipal Council proposes approval of an annual municipal contribution of CHF 1.6m to GST for 2026–2029.

5. Purchase of Former Post Building, Schönried (Plot No. 5338)

Proposal: Authorisation to purchase for CHF 2.1m plus CHF 20,000 costs (total CHF 2.12m)

The Post Immobilien AG invited offers for the property at Bahnhofstrasse 6, Schönried. The Municipal Council submitted an offer of CHF 2.1m (plus costs), subject to Assembly approval.

The 1982 mixed-construction building (UG/EG solid, upper floors timber) is heated via Schönried district heating. The condition is generally good, but a complete renovation is necessary, particularly for the façade and interior elements. The Council anticipates rent adjustments, with 40% of renovation costs classified as “value-enhancing”.

To offset rent increases for eligible local tenants, up to CHF 300,000 may be drawn from the “Rüegg-Honegger Fund for Rent Reductions for Residents”.

Recommendation: The Municipal Council proposes approval of the purchase of property No. 5338, Bahnhofstrasse 6, Schönried, for CHF 2.12 million, including costs.

Miscellaneous

The Assembly may also discuss other motions within its competence (Art. 63 AWR).

Saanen, 26 August 2025
Municipal Council of Saanen