On Friday, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, Carinthian Governor Peter Kaiser, National Councilor Peter Weidinger and Mayor of Villach Günther Albel presented the “Villach large barracks” project.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “I am delighted that we are able to build this modern large barracks in agreement with the state of Carinthia and the city of Villach. The planned investment in the site amounts to around 120 million euros and we are thus ensuring that this new large barracks will be built in compliance with the highest construction and ecological standards. I would like to thank the state and the city for this great cooperation and look forward to being able to open the new barracks during the current legislative period.” “What takes a long time now seems to actually turn out well,” says Carinthia’s Governor Peter Kaiser, relieved and delighted about the firm commitment from Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner for a new barracks building in Villach, which has now been given a concrete planning and construction start. “Together with Mayor Günther Albel, we have consistently campaigned for this urgently needed new building for a long time. The fact that this multi-million euro project in Villach is now also becoming a reality, following the recently agreed 100 million euro construction of the new prison in Klagenfurt, is particularly important for Carinthia in many respects and especially in view of the difficult times caused by the coronavirus,” said Kaiser, who drew attention to the jobs associated with these major investments and the importance for the local economy.
Above all, he is delighted for the soldiers: “They are there to help and protect the people living in Carinthia in every situation, whatever the weather. They have proven this in recent years in many disaster operations and crisis situations such as the corona pandemic. Thanking them alone is not enough. They must also trust that politicians will provide them with the appropriate framework conditions, the best equipment and, last but not least, modern accommodation,” says Kaiser. “I have been campaigning for the large barracks in Villach for years, and together with Federal Minister Tanner we have now succeeded in getting this project on track. A project that not only secures Villach as a garrison location, but also enables versatile economic development. Together we can achieve more for Villach,” says National Councillor Peter Weidinger. “I am delighted that the pioneers are now to receive a barracks that does justice to their valuable work. The years of joint pressure from the state of Carinthia, the city of Villach and the Carinthian military command for this expansion have finally fallen on fertile ground with the federal government. Villach will thus remain a strong garrison town in the future,” said Villach Mayor Günther Albel.
