WHAT'S NEW?! #37 - VILLACH IN APRIL 2024

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In April, Villach awakens to new life with news about the cycling initiative, population growth, the new "Data Space Carinthia," expanded services at the recycling center, planned photovoltaic open spaces, significant construction projects such as the renovation of Richard Wagner School and a rich cultural event program.

• Cycling Initiative in Full Swing: This year, the city of Villach is investing around 350,000 euros to improve the cycling network. New cycling paths will be constructed, and existing ones will be improvedto make cycling even more attractive. A new cycling concept aims to create a modern cycling network for the entire city by 2035. Events like the cycling kickoff  (“Radauftakt”) on April 20th (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) and "Kärnten radelt" will promote cycling and utilize it for charitable purposes. Additionally, a new pump track - an artificially constructed mountain bike trail - will be established in Drobollach in May.
   
• Villach is Growing: Villach is experiencing strong population growth of 0.8 percent in 2023 and could reach a population of over 70,000 by 2030. Villach is the only district in Carinthia exceeding the Austrian average of 0.6 percent. The city is attracting mainly Germans, Italians, and people from the former Yugoslavia.
   
• New Data Pool for Decision Support: The "Zentralraum Kärnten+" has created a new data pool to support policymakers and administration in decision-making by providing data on population, parking management, mobility, and weather. This pioneering project enables municipalities to make more efficient decisions and evolve as a digital region. Future applications will be integrated into the "Datenraum Kärnten" (Data Room Carinthia). 
   
• Updates from the Recycling Center: The recycling center (ASZ) in Villach has expanded its services by extending its opening hours until April 27th, including the option to visit on Saturdays until 5 p.m.. Additionally, in April and May, farmers have the opportunity to dispose of their silage films free of charge. Furthermore, on April 5th and 6th, the ASZ is hosting two action days offering free waste consultations and a 10% discount on garden products from Villacher Saubermacher.
   
• 3.5 Hectares for More Solar Power: Villach plans to establish a 3.5-hectare photovoltaic open space in 2025, capable of supplying enough electricity for approximately 1,100 households and saving nearly 1.8 million kilograms of CO2 annually. This measure is part of the city's goal to generate more solar power than all municipal buildings require by 2030, marking an important step towards energy self-sufficiency and environmental protection. The PV system will avoid ground sealing and provide space for agricultural purposes and biodiversity measures.

• Renovation for a New Educational Campus: The renovation of Richard-Wagner-Schule, commencing in April with an investment of 16 million euros, is the largest construction project of the City of Villach in 2024. Measures include the renewal of sanitary facilities, fire protection, and thermal refurbishment. The renovation aims to create a modern educational campus with 13 classrooms and four kindergarten groups. Upon completion, the school will be bright and modern, accommodating students from the VS 1 Khevenhüller starting from 2025/26.
   
• Events: April brings various events to Villach and its surrounding areas: Concert enthusiasts can enjoy the popular Honky Tonk® Music Festival spread across the city on April 6th, the performance of Camerata Salzburg at the Congress Center on April 8th, or Martin Klein & Little Lakes at Kulturhof:villach on April 13th. Book lovers will be rewarded with two book presentations this month: the presentation of the culinary guide for Friuli-Venezia Giulia by Gisela Hopfmüller and Franz Hlavac on April 16th, and "Durch die Zeit bewegt" by Sieglind Demus at Dinzlschloss on April 23th. Art enthusiasts also have something to look forward to in April: a jubilee exhibition dedicated to the late painter Hans Laber at Dinzlschloss on April 9th.