Zermatt Inside 2024 - 2 - English Translation and Summary

Summary of significant articles

After two and a half months, students and teachers from grades 4H to 8H are settled into the new 'Niww Walka' school building.
The new facility includes modern classrooms, a library, a gymnasium, multifunctional rooms, and a cafeteria, all featuring extensive use of larch wood, concrete, and glass.
An official inauguration ceremony for the new school is scheduled for April 12, 2024, followed by a public open house on April 13.
The project's history spans from initial studies in 2008 to the final move-in in January 2024, overcoming various planning stages and redesigns.

The municipality of Zermatt is revising its local urban planning for the entire area, following public feedback from 2022.
Due to various concerns raised, in-depth studies are being commissioned for the Furi/Aroleit and Howete areas to ensure high-quality, coordinated development.
The municipal council is asking voters to approve a three-year extension of the current planning zones in several key areas to allow these studies to be completed.
The goal is to submit the revised zoning plan and building regulations to the canton for preliminary examination in early 2025.

The Zermatt municipal administration is replacing its outdated telephone system starting April 8, 2024.
While the main municipal number (027 966 22 11) will remain the same, the direct-dial numbers for most departments and employees will change.
The new numbers are organized into logical blocks to improve efficiency and customer service.
The public should anticipate potentially limited telephone availability on the changeover day, Monday, April 8.

Zermatt is planning an innovative logistics center (DLZ) in the Grüebe area to centralize goods handling from road, rail, and air transport.
The project aims to improve efficiency, reduce the number of vehicle trips into the village, and eliminate open-air freight handling to improve the appearance of Zermatt's entrance.
A feasibility study shows a potential for 43,000 square meters of usable space, including storage, parking, and a possible future base for Air Zermatt, with an estimated cost of around CHF 120 million.
The project is designed to be built in stages, with a first phase for road-to-rail transfer potentially starting in 2028 and the full hub operational after 2035.

The municipality of Zermatt is undertaking a project to preserve and restore the historic Theodul Pass trail, a significant cultural heritage site used by Walser settlers in the 13th century.
The trail, listed as a route of national importance, has deteriorated over time, with collapsing dry-stone walls and damaged pavement.
Starting in summer 2024, the first phase of the project will focus on the heavily frequented section from Blatten to Furi at an estimated cost of CHF 1.3 million.
Due to its national significance, the project is expected to receive substantial financial support from federal, cantonal, and other third-party funds.

Zermatt's local noise abatement regulations (LBR) strictly control construction noise to protect residents and tourists, especially during peak seasons.
The use of heavy machinery like excavators and compressors is generally limited to 20 working days in the spring and autumn, with specific start dates.
To provide relief from noise, the municipality designates "Sperrtage" (lock-out days), such as the days following public holidays, when most construction machinery is banned.
While heavy construction is forbidden on these days, quieter interior work with smaller electric tools is permitted within specific time windows.

Zermatt's Residents' Services / Chancellery (ED) is a six-person team that serves as a foundational department for the municipality.
The department's core tasks include managing resident, voter, and dog registers, processing over 110,000 data mutations and handling around 3,500 new registrations annually.
Beyond register management, the office issues official documents, processes ID card applications, oversees health insurance compliance, and organizes all local, cantonal, and federal elections.
The team is also responsible for maintaining the municipal website and managing the town's archives.

Zermatt Tourism has launched a campaign to actively inform its loyal winter guests about the destination's attractive summer offerings.
Three new summer packages have been created: a glacier experience with a Breithorn ascent, a culinary hiking tour, and a customizable mountain bike experience.
A key promotional tool is an online "activity barometer" that suggests suitable packages and activities based on user preferences, simplifying vacation planning.
The campaign is being promoted across multiple channels, including flyers in hotels and ski schools, social media, and the Matterhorn app.

For its 126th year, the Gornergrat Bahn is offering a diverse range of special trips and experiences throughout the spring and summer seasons.
Featured offers include the luxurious "NostalChic Class" in a restored 1961 coach, the "Gornergrat Gourmet Ticket" culinary hike, and special sunrise journeys to the Riffelsee for Matterhorn reflections.
The popular "Meet the Sheep" program returns, allowing visitors to find the local Valais Blacknose sheep with the help of GPS tracking.
Year-round attractions like the "ZOOOM the Matterhorn" multimedia world and the "Golden Spot" photo point with a historic golden locomotive continue to be highlights.

The construction of the new Matterhorn-Express base station is in its final phase, with Zermatt Bergbahnen's administration set to move into the new offices in April.
The new ticket area, ski lockers, and restrooms have been operational since mid-January, providing guests with enhanced space and comfort.
By summer 2024, all final elements, including a new glass canopy and additional information screens, will be installed.
A public open house is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2024, to allow everyone to tour the completed facility.