Construction of a New Medical Center in Kleinwalsertal Starts Soon

The community of Mittelberg in Kleinwalsertal has officially approved the long-awaited construction of a new medical center in Hirschegg. The unanimous decision by the local council marks a significant step forward in addressing the region's healthcare needs.

This new facility, which will be built by the Working Group for Preventive and Social Medicine (Aks) based in Bregenz, has been in the planning stages since 2017. The construction project was recently given the green light by both the council and the municipal board, bringing years of discussions and delays to an end.

Mayor Joachim Fritz expressed his satisfaction with the council's decision, emphasizing that the completion of the medical center is a hopeful development for residents facing a shortage of medical services. Currently, only one of the four available doctor positions in the Kleinwalsertal is filled, leaving residents with limited access to healthcare.

Contracts between the municipality and Aks are reportedly ready for signing, with ongoing negotiations to fill the remaining doctor positions. According to the mayor, one physician has already committed to a position, while discussions are underway with two additional candidates. The local government is optimistic about filling all available positions by the time the new center opens.

Aks Managing Director Georg Posch also conveyed optimism regarding the project, noting that there is significant interest from medical practitioners. However, the construction of the medical center must commence before any agreements can be finalized. The Aks will serve as the property developer, providing fully equipped medical offices for doctors to rent.

The local council has also agreed to an outlay guarantee of EUR50,000 to cover potential losses if a doctor's position in the center remains unfilled for a year. This safety net was previously rejected by past administrations, which contributed to delays in the project.

During the recent council meeting, there was little debate regarding the medical center, with Posch invited to present the project's details. The estimated cost of the construction is between EUR6 million and EUR7 million, with plans to break ground this fall. Both the mayor and Posch describe the timeline for completion as ambitious yet achievable, targeting an opening in December 2026.