Zermatt Inside 2022 - 4 - English Translation and Summary

Summary of significant articles

The 2022/23 school year begins on August 16 with the motto "We are full of energy," linking to Zermatt's status as an "Energy City."
Due to a nationwide teacher shortage, students from the 7th and 8th grades of the neighboring communities of Täsch and Randa will attend school in Zermatt.
A new media project will educate students from 4th to 11th grade on topics like cyberbullying, social media, and online gaming.
This will be the final school year for Leo Schuler, the long-serving head of the secondary school, and for the Walka 3 school building before its reconstruction.

Zermatt and Täsch have approved a joint strategy to make the inner Mattertal valley more attractive as a place to live and work.
The plan includes eleven measures, such as mobilizing unused housing, promoting the region, and coordinating the recruitment and integration of workers.
A dedicated specialist position will be created to coordinate the measures and serve as a central point of contact for innovative business ideas.
This initiative complements the recent creation of a cooperative for affordable housing, with costs split 60% by Zermatt and 40% by Täsch.

A new community flag, made of pure silk, was consecrated and unveiled during the Corpus Christi procession.
The design incorporates the historic inscription "die lebliche Gemeinde Zermatt" (the lovely community of Zermatt) from the original 1854 flag.
The flag's pole sleeve is embroidered with the years 1854, 1964, and 2022, linking it to its predecessors.
The decision to retain the 19th-century text and spelling was made to preserve it as a historical witness.

Invasive, non-native plants (neophytes) are recognized as a threat to local biodiversity, infrastructure, and even human health in the Zermatt area.
Common problematic species like Butterfly Bush, Large-leaved Lupine, and Annual Fleabane often spread from private gardens.
The municipality is offering a free course on September 20, 2022, to educate residents on how to identify, properly remove, and dispose of these plants.
The course will also provide information on suitable native replacement plants to help gardeners prevent the spread of invasive species.

The municipality of Zermatt is undertaking a comprehensive revision of its local master plan, including zoning and building regulations.
The revision's main focus is the qualitative development of Zermatt, emphasizing the creation of versatile open spaces and preserving the village's attractive character.
The draft plan will be available for public viewing and comment for 30 days starting October 3, 2022.
Two public information events are scheduled for September 30, 2022, to present the draft to the community.

The Gornergrat Bahn is introducing five new trainsets named "POLARIS" (Popular Landscape Railway In Switzerland).
The new trains are designed for an improved customer experience with low-floor entrances for accessibility, a smoother ride, and modern information systems.
They feature more space for luggage, winter sports equipment, and bicycles in multi-purpose compartments.
The new fleet arrives just in time for the railway's 125th anniversary, which will be celebrated in 2023.

Zermatt Tourism has produced a new image video as an innovative approach to counteract staff shortages in the destination.
The video aims to attract potential applicants by showcasing the passion and motivation of current employees working in Zermatt.
In conjunction with the video, the organization has revamped its jobs website to provide valuable information and resources for newcomers.
The initiative is intended to serve as a positive example for other local businesses in recruiting and retaining skilled personnel.

Joseph Ruden (1817-1882) was a parish priest in Zermatt during the 19th-century rise of alpinism.
Recognizing the economic potential of the growing number of visitors, he became a key pioneer in Zermatt's tourism development.
He was a driving force behind the construction of two of Zermatt's most important hotels: the "Riffelhaus" on the Riffelberg (1854) and the "Zermatterhof" in the village (1879).
In addition to his work as a hotelier and priest, Ruden also authored the first historical chronicle of Zermatt.

The old Zermatt-Furi cable car has been decommissioned, and demolition of the valley station in the Schluhmatte area is in progress.
A new, modern station is being built, scheduled for completion in autumn 2023, which will offer barrier-free access and an underground logistics hub to reduce street traffic.
The new building will be constructed to the energy-efficient Minergie-P standard and will also house the administrative offices of Zermatt Bergbahnen.
The new cable car will feature 100-person cabins, including a unique open-air rooftop platform for panoramic views during the ride.