91 residents tour renovated Aizkraukle municipality building

The Aizkraukle municipality in Latvia held tours of its renovated administration building, popularly known as the “white house”. A total of 91 residents took part. The building dates from the Soviet era, the 1970s, and had become worn out both morally and visually, which is why it was renovated. The event showed that people are interested not only in the changes to the building but also in the municipality's daily work and future plans.

Presentation and tour

Participants were first invited into the large hall where council meetings are held. They could sit in the deputies' chairs and listen to a presentation by council chairman Leons Līdums on the building's history, the work completed and the work still ahead. Residents then asked questions, some about the renovation and others about broader current issues, before splitting into small groups to view the premises.

The renovation included insulated walls and renewed façades covering 2,400 m², 141 replaced windows and 14 exterior doors, and a renewed roof of 1,730 m². More than 700 LED light fixtures, 68 solar panels and four batteries were installed. Fitting out the interior is still under way: chairs must be placed in the waiting area, and not all equipment has been obtained for the large council hall.

More interest than planned

Three time slots were initially offered, with a limit of 15 people per group. After electronic applications began arriving, the limit was raised to 25. When the municipality's newsletter reached readers, applications surged again and two more time slots were added, although those groups were not filled to the maximum. Visitors included primary-school-age children, working-age residents and pensioners.

Arvis Upīts, head of the municipality's Communications Department and a council deputy, said such meetings are valuable for both sides. He noted that a similar meeting with entrepreneurs is planned in the building in November, and mentioned the idea of holding themed meetings from time to time.

Feedback

Feedback was positive. Some visitors appreciated that the “white house” is now truly white. Improved accessibility was named as a key benefit, including a lift and tactile markings that help people with visual impairments move around safely. Some visitors were surprised by the modest furnishings of the premises.