Since 30 November 2022, students from the five sixth and seventh year classes have been using the brand new Espace Kolmer rooms, the new complex located 200 metres from the rest of the school. This new school complex occupies the site of the former Landser convent, previously belonging to the Capuchin Friars Minor (1655-1791), the Redemptorists (1842-1929) and then by the Redemptorist Sisters (1931-2012). The Don Bosco de Landser Association bought the property after the departure of the Sisters, to transform it into a place of education.
Because the convent buildings were unsuitable and could not be renovated according to today's standards, it was necessary to demolish and rebuild them from scratch. Work began in November 2019 and ended in the autumn of 2022, despite difficulties related to the Covid pandemic. Only the chapel remains of the old former buildings, and it will be transformed into a cultural space.
The new building, designed by architect Jean Vogel, follows the layout of the ancient monastery, with an internal patio reminiscent of the original cloister. It is spread over 3 levels, with 9 large classrooms of almost 100m2 and numerous other rooms for group work. The new structure is called espace Kolmer in homage to Salesian Fr Victor Kolmer (1888-1972), who founded the Salesian house at Landser in 1929.
The official opening ceremony was held in the presence of numerous guests representing all collaborators and groups involved in this project: the Salesian school administration, with Bro. Sébastien Robert, a Salesian Brother, the Provincial Economer, and Sébastien Lerondel, Delegate for the school administration; the Catholic Education Department of Alsace, with Bishop Christian Kratz, Auxiliary Bishop of Strasbourg, and Patrick Wolf, diocesan director; the representatives of the Collectivité Européenne d 'Alsace and the elected representatives of the sector; financial partners; the builders who worked on the construction site and, of course, the entire educational community of Don Bosco Landser.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jean-Marc Hassler, Principal Alain Werner and Director Daniel Adrian, who is also Mayor of Landser and a member of the Alsace Council, took the stage to present this “new place of life, learning and work”. Sixth-year and high school students then offered entertainment with songs, music and sketches.
The ceremony ended with the blessing of the premises and the staff by Bishop Kratz and the unveiling of a bust of Don Bosco, made by artist Dan Robert.
At the same time, an open day on the theme “Our students have talent” involved all members of the educational community: students of all orders and grades, teachers and educational staff, parents' association and past pupils association, etc.
Exhibitions, presentations and scientific and sports demonstrations, theatrical and musical performances highlighted the results of the students and their class projects; and during the two days, hundreds of visitors, old and new, visited the premises: parents of the current students, students who will become part of the school in the next trimester, but also many past pupils, friends and benefactors of the Landser house, who came from all over the region for this special occasion.
