The refurbishment of the Ruusupuisto early childhood education and care centre has been completed, and the new early childhood education and care centre premises are currently being used as temporary accommodation for the Koivistonkylä early childhood education and care centre. Terhi Söyrinki, Manager of an early childhood education and care centre, is extremely pleased with the new, modern early childhood education and care centre premises. Positive feedback on Ruusupuisto’s new premises has also been received from clients and families.
– Thanks to the refurbishment, an early childhood education and care centre now has functional, modern premises that support the objectives of the early years education plan. In addition to other small-group rooms, the children have access to an art studio, a play kitchen and a sensory room, which enable a wide range of educational activities, says Söyrinki.
The early childhood education and care centre’s playground, in particular, has been met with great admiration. Söyrinki describes the surroundings of the neighbouring Hatanpää Arboretum as a living picture book, and few early childhood education and care centres in the city centre offer a direct view of the lake. The design of the early childhood education and care centre’s outdoor area has indeed taken into account microbe-friendly principles, natural materials and vegetation.
– Many tourists have even asked what this building is and how an early childhood education and care centre can be situated in such a lovely spot.
The Ruusupuisto early childhood education and care centre has space for seven early childhood education and care groups, meaning the premises are designed to accommodate around 140 children. In addition, the centre’s premises have been designed to allow for evening use.
The Ruusupuisto early childhood education and care centre is part of the historic Hatanpää Manor estate. Completed in 1890, the red-brick Jukola building first served as the manor’s cowshed, later as a hospital, and subsequently as the town’s workshop and storage facility.
Renovation work began in January 2025, and the building, which is now over a hundred years old, has been completely refurbished inside. To ensure a safe and healthy environment, the refurbishment work included, amongst other things, repairing damp damage and removing harmful substances. The refurbishment of the old building also revealed the various repair solutions used in the ageing structure.
– When we dismantled the ground floor, it became clear that some of the structures had been built directly on top of the stone, and the fill materials varied from place to place, tells Tero Keisu, Project Manager at Tampereen Tilapalvelut.
Despite the surprises, the construction schedule remained on track and the cost estimate not only met but actually fell short of the project’s budget target.
– We managed to resolve all the challenges together with the contractor and the planning officers without affecting the completion schedule, says Keisu.
However, the old, listed Jukola building has retained its recognisable external features, even though the interior has undergone a significant transformation. For example, the new tin roof was made to look old, and the old windows have been restored and fitted back into their original positions.
