Housing company VIVAWEST is investing in the social infrastructure of the Bockum-Hövel district in Hamm. On Andreasstraße, representatives of the property holder joined the City of Hamm and the operating organisation, Kita Eichenwäldchen gGmbH, to lay the foundation stone for a modern new day-care facility. Construction work on the plot of around 2,300 square metres has already been underway since October, following the complete demolition of the old building previously located on the site.
Expansion of childcare capacity to four groups
In future, the two-storey facility will offer a usable floor area of around 850 square metres, significantly expanding local childcare provision from one group previously to four groups. Following planned completion in early 2028 and the full start of operations for the 2028/29 care year, places for more than 60 children will be available. The spatial concept provides up to 20 places for children under three years of age and 45 places for three- to six-year-olds. During the approximately 18-month construction phase, the children are being cared for in a temporary container facility.
- —Plot area: around 2,300 square metres on Andreasstraße
- —Usable floor area: two storeys with around 850 square metres
- —Outdoor space: around 1,400 square metres of fenced open area
- —Capacity: four groups for over 60 children across under-threes and over-threes
In addition to the group rooms, the building includes a multi-purpose room on the upper floor that is open to day-care operations as well as events hosted by the operator and the City of Hamm. The structural facilities are complemented by a covered buggy store, five car parking spaces for staff, and a fenced outdoor area of around 1,400 square metres for outdoor play and leisure activities.
Building services and neighbourhood focus in Bockum-Hövel
The heating supply for the new building will be provided by an air-to-water heat pump in conjunction with underfloor heating. The building will also feature a green retention roof for controlled rainwater management. Frank Wojtkowiak, head of the Westfalen-Lippe regional division at VIVAWEST, explained that as a neighbourhood developer, the company is deliberately investing in infrastructure as the previous physical setup no longer satisfied growing requirements.
Dr Britta Obszerninks, head of family affairs for the City of Hamm, commended the project as a significant element in municipal support for families. Christian Westerteicher, managing director of Kita Eichenwäldchen gGmbH, highlighted the improved pedagogical conditions in the future building. The location holds strategic significance for VIVAWEST: the company manages a portfolio of around 3,000 flats in Hamm, with almost half of them situated in the Bockum-Hövel municipal district.
