It was signed today, Thursday, at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport , the Decision to Include the Project “Green School of European Education in Voutes, Heraklion,” into the Regional Program “Crete 2021-2027, ” in the presence of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas.
The project was signed by the Regional Governor of Crete , Stavros Arnaoutakis, while the president of Ktirakes Infrastructures,Timoleon Katsipos, and the CEO, Athanasios Giannaris, were present.
At the same time, the implementation of another major educational infrastructure project in Crete is also moving forward: the construction of new facilities for the General High School and the Vocational High School of Kissamos, Chania, with a total budget 19.5 million euros, which will be financed through the Public Sector Lending Facility, under Pillar III – Green Schools.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas, stated:
“A project with a distinct educational, developmental, and European dimension, which for many years has been a request of the educational community and the local society of Crete, is now moving forward toward implementation. The new School of European Education will be one of the most modern educational facilities in the country, offering a high-quality learning environment designed according to the principles of innovation, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
I would like to thank the Region of Crete, the Building Infrastructure Agency, the University of Crete, and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring us to this point. At the same time, construction is underway on the new General Lyceum and Vocational High School in Kissamos, featuring innovative specifications, while we continue renovating schools through the “Marietta Giannakou” Program. This year, in the second phase of the program, another 14 schools in Crete were included, in addition to the 33 that were renovated last year.
We are demonstrating in practice that education is a priority for the State by creating modern, safe, and energy-efficient facilities, so that Crete may acquire an educational infrastructure worthy of its needs and prospects."
On the occasion of the inclusion of the projects, the Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, issued the following statement:
“As the Region of Crete, we are investing in the future of Crete, the new generation. The two modern, bioclimatic school complexes in Heraklion and Chania significantly upgrade our island’s educational infrastructure, offering students and teachers a safe, innovative, and welcoming school environment.
Through methodical planning, advocacy, and collaboration, we are turning our vision into reality, improving the quality of public education and strengthening our local communities. Our ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Building Infrastructure, local government, and local agencies is bearing fruit."
Technical Details
The first project involves the construction of the European Education School in Heraklion, Crete, a modern educational complex with a capacity of 780 students, of whom 60 preschoolers, 300 elementary school students in elementary school, and 420 middle school students.
The school will be built on a 15.7 acres of land donated by the University of Crete in the Voutes area of Heraklion and will include facilities for a preschool, elementary, and high school facilities, as well as administrative offices, libraries, laboratories, multi-purpose rooms, dining halls, and sports facilities.
The project has a total budget of of €35.4 million and is expected to serve as a model “green” school, with a nearly zero energy footprint, with an energy rating of A+, and meeting international environmental certification standards.
The design was selected through an International Architectural Competition, and according to it, the three schools are organized around atriums and enclosed courtyards, with separate entrances and play areas for the Preschool, the Elementary School, and the Middle School. The separation is achieved through pergolas and vertical green walls with climbing plants.
Following the issuance of the Inclusion Decision, the Building Infrastructure Department will proceed with the submission of the Tender Documents for the required pre-tender review and the approval of the Region of Crete, so that the project can be put out to tender.
The second project concerns the construction of a new, modern school complex to house the General Lyceum and the Vocational Lyceum of Kissamos, Chania. The project will be built on a plot of land 9,636.95 square meters within the settlement of Agios Antonios Kallergianon in the Municipality of Kissamos and will replace existing school facilities dating back to the 1980s.
The new General High School will have 12 classes and will be built on three levels, including classrooms, laboratories, a library, administrative offices, a cafeteria, and auxiliary facilities. Similarly, the new 12-classroom Vocational High School will feature modern vocational training laboratories, classrooms, administrative and support spaces, as well as specialized facilities for technical disciplines and plant production.
At the same time,a separate Multipurpose Hall will be constructed, which will serve both the school community and the needs of the local community. The complex will be complemented by modern athletic and communal facilities, green spaces, and fully accessible facilities for people with disabilities, incorporating the principles of bioclimatic design and energy efficiency.