Voters have approved five proposals that will shape several of the municipality’s major projects over the coming years - from childcare capacity and ski infrastructure to wastewater systems and the future use of Rübeldorf.

At an extraordinary municipal assembly on 18 September, Saanen voters approved all five proposals on the agenda, giving the green light to a series of investments that will influence local infrastructure and services well beyond the current season.

For GstaadLife readers, three decisions stand out: the expansion of childcare capacity in Gstaad, the continuation of municipal support for Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG, and additional funding for the major Horneggli/Hornberg mountain infrastructure project.

More childcare places in Gstaad
Voters approved CHF 1.1 million for the next planning stage of the new Chinderhuus Ebnit. The money does not fund construction itself but allows the project to progress towards the building-permit stage.

The need is clear. The existing building no longer meets current requirements, while demand for childcare remains high. The Gstaad site currently offers 16 daycare places; the planned new facility would increase this to around 30. In 2025, Chinderhuus Ebnit’s daycare centres operated at an average occupancy of 98.12 per cent.

The overall project is currently estimated at around CHF 16.1 million. The municipality is expected to contribute approximately CHF 10.6 million at a later stage, while the remaining amount would be financed through federal contributions, the organisation’s own funds and donations. Construction is not expected to begin before 2029.

Six more years of support for the mountain railways
Saanen also approved continuing its annual CHF 3.8 million contribution to Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG for 2027 to 2032. The funding supports summer operations, free annual passes for children living in the municipality and contributions towards depreciation.

One element of the new agreement extends mountain operations into the shoulder seasons. This prompted some debate at the assembly. The assembly rejected a proposal to shorten the agreement from six to four years. Supporters of the six-year term argued that the aim was not simply to generate more tourism, but to spread visitor flows more evenly across the season and provide greater financial planning security.

Additional CHF 12 million for Horneggli/Hornberg
The largest financial decision concerned the Horneggli/Hornberg generation project.

In 2022, Saanen voters approved a municipal contribution of 40 per cent, or CHF 36 million, based on an estimated total cost of CHF 90 million. The overall project cost has since risen to around CHF 120 million. Voters have now approved an additional municipal contribution of up to CHF 12 million, bringing Saanen’s potential total contribution to CHF 48 million.

The increase is partly attributed to higher steel prices, inflation, and consolidation among mountain-lift manufacturers. Before the additional municipal funding can be released, the project must secure at least CHF 100 million in financing for its core elements. These include the new Horneggli lift and parking facility as well as the Hornberg reservoir.

The financial commitment is substantial. Between 2027 and 2032, the municipality expects annual payments connected to the BDG service agreement and investment programme to total CHF 9.4 million. Municipal finance director Nathanael Perreten told the assembly that this would place considerable pressure on Saanen’s liquidity and that new borrowing could not be ruled out.

Rübeldorf and wastewater infrastructure also approved
Voters additionally approved the rezoning of the former Rübeldorf retirement home site, allowing a broader mix of residential and commercial uses and enabling the municipality to continue renting the property to WG Mischer beyond 2029.

The council also approved a separate increase in the investment credit for wastewater pipes at Saanematte and the Gstaad rainwater basin, raising the total credit from CHF 890,000 to CHF 14 million.

For Saanen, these are not short-term decisions. Together, they touch on several issues that will shape daily life in the municipality over the coming decade: childcare, public infrastructure, tourism, mountain access, and municipal finances.

Based on reporting by our sister publication, Anzeiger von Saanen.