Wismar in turmoil: renovation of the district music school is on the brink!

Wismar in turmoil: renovation of the district music school is on the brink!

Things are boiling in Wismar: the 120-year-old building of the district music school urgently needs to be renovated, but the future of the educational institution is in the balance. How NDR reported, the building belongs to the city of Wismar and is currently being made available to the district of Nordwestmecklenburg free of charge. However, this agreement expires at the end of August 2027, and things could get tight for the music school after that.

The renovation is estimated to take at least three years and will cost around 13 million euros. Horst Krumpen, the chairman of the Die Linke parliamentary group, has submitted a proposal: The district could take over the building and renovate it itself, which would keep future usage fees for students low. This idea is supported in the district council by the SPD parliamentary group and the Green Party. The AfD has also submitted a similar motion. Such discussions are of great importance for the students who use the district music school’s current offerings.

Moving into containers?

Over 700 students currently use the district music school at Turnplatz for their musical activities. But the location is facing closure from summer 2027. The district plans to temporarily accommodate the district music school in a container facility in Wismar-Wendorf, which could result in expensive costs of at least 3 million euros. This solution has met with strong criticism from parents as it is both inadequate and difficult to achieve. Younger children in particular could have difficulty reaching the new location without an accompanying person. An online petition was launched to protest against the container solution and demand more time for participation, such as Wismar.fm reported.

The parent representatives emphasize that the container construction offers less space and that special rooms for dance, theater or drums will be missing. In addition, the sound insulation is inadequate. They are calling for a deeper examination of alternative solutions and an extension of the use of the gymnastics field. After all, the district music school is considered the cultural heart of Wismar, and its relocation could lead to many students and teachers leaving.

Financing of music schools

The current discussion in Wismar is not isolated. The Südliche Weinstrasse district faces similar challenges in music school financing. Reported here Rhine Palatinate about the problems caused by rising maintenance costs and inadequate public funding. District Administrator Dietmar Seefeldt (CDU) is pushing for the financial restrictions to be lifted and is asking for fair three-way financing by the state, parents and municipalities.

The music school in Wismar could experience similar difficulties, as tuition fees only cover a third of the costs and family discounts are required. Here you can kill two birds with one stone: ensure students the best possible education and at the same time reduce financial hurdles. So what will happen to the district music school? The time until the district council meeting on October 15, 2025 will be crucial in determining direction.