Excellent cooperation between the Slovenian Armed Forces and PZS...

Excellent cooperation between the Slovenian Armed Forces and PZS at the start of construction on Okrešelj.



At the end of last year, we sadly wrote about how the very popular Frischaufov dom on Okrešlju (1396m) burned to the ground. Nine months later, we can share better news, as the fire site is prepared for the start of building a new story. The Slovenian Armed Forces also contributed to the start of this good story, as on Wednesday, August 26, with almost 40 helicopter flights to Okrešelj, it transported 25 tons of cement, 14 tons of reinforcement meshes and other concrete steel for the foundation slab.











Planinsko društvo Celje – Matica, the owner of the hut, obtained a building permit for the construction of the new hut at the end of July. Last week, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology announced a call for proposals to support alpine sports and multi-purpose recreational infrastructure. PD Celje – Matica will also apply for the call with the project for the new alpine hut on Okrešelj.







The members of the Celje mountaineering club have already cleared the site of the old hut. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, some works were delayed, but with the easing of measures, volunteers were able to fully clean the site, then set up a hut for workers and caretakers and the Okrešelj beach with tables and benches for visitors. In the last month, various preparatory construction works have been taking place at the site where the new alpine hut will once stand. "During this time, we carried out the demolition of the remains of the walls, performed earthworks, reinforced the base for the foundation slab, prepared the main aggregate for concrete. Next week, the site for the foundation slab will be ready. We plan to carry out all construction works in the ground floor this year and prepare everything necessary for the installation of the prefabricated part. Over the winter, we will select a contractor so that we can start the works in the spring when the weather conditions at this altitude allow it," said Franc Povše, president of PD Celje-Matica.







Since a lot of construction material needs to be brought to an altitude of almost 1400 meters, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SV) came to help with helicopter transports of material. The good cooperation between the Slovenian Armed Forces and the Alpine Association of Slovenia has lasted for more than 20 years. "First, the army transported material and equipment for the maintenance of alpine trails using helicopters. Recently, we have expanded this excellent cooperation to helicopter transports of material and equipment for ecological and energy renovations of alpine huts. This year, the army has already carried out several flights for the needs of path markers. Annually, the army performs approximately 30 hours of helicopter flights, which is very valuable assistance for the managers of alpine huts. For the transport of material for the new alpine hut on Okrešelj, we received an additional 10 hours. The helicopter flights are free for the clubs and are formally arranged within the framework of cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and non-governmental organisations. In return, PZS tries to help the Slovenian Armed Forces in areas where it can, e.g. free accommodation in alpine huts for SV members on work assignments. We are aware that building an alpine hut at such a location would be almost impossible without helicopter flights, so we thank the Slovenian Armed Forces for their assistance so far," said Matej Planko, General Secretary of PZS.







The good cooperation between members of the 15th Helicopter Battalion of SV and volunteer mountaineers in transporting material for the new alpine hut on Okrešelj could be seen on Wednesday as well. SV members brought 25 tons of cement, 14 tons of reinforcement meshes and concrete steel. "We divided our work into three cycles, in between we had to refuel the helicopter with fuel. In the first part, we first transported the reinforcement meshes, which weighed several thousand kilograms. For the transport to Okrešelj, where we overcame 650 meters of altitude, we needed 6 minutes and 30 seconds. The most difficult part of the job was unloading the construction material, as there is very limited space at the top. Since we work in high mountains, where we have to pay attention to many different circumstances, we had to be maximally focused all the time," explained Lieutenant Colonel Igor Lanišnik, commander of the 151st Helicopter Squadron of the Slovenian Armed Forces, about the work on the construction on Okrešelj. At the same time, he praised the good cooperation with the Alpine Association of Slovenia, especially for the most demanding works in the high mountains. A larger team participated in the work. In addition to two pilots, two aircraft technicians and a mountain military rescuer also assisted in the transports, as the load had to be securely and properly secured.







At the Alpine Association of Slovenia, we have been actively involved throughout in finding solutions for the construction of the hut on Okrešelj and Korošica, where the hut burned down in October 2017. "In the PZS budget for 2018, we allocated 20 thousand euros for the preparation of project documentation for the construction of the new alpine hut on Korošica, and in 2019, following a decision of the PZS Assembly, we collected one euro from each adult PZS member through membership fees. This raised just over 45 thousand euros. We continue collecting earmarked funds for the construction of new alpine huts this year as well. Together with the funds collected in 2020, PZS will contribute more than 100 thousand euros for the renovation of alpine huts on Korošica and Okrešelj," added PZS General Secretary Matej Planko.







If you would like to help with the new construction, you can do so by transferring to the account: 0510 0801 6743 162 (at Abanka Celje) or by SMS to 1919 (code: OKRESELJ5), with which you will donate five euros. You can help build the hut on Korošica with a donation to account 0510 0801 5958 723 (at Abanka). Purpose: contribution for the construction of the new hut on Korošica, reference: 00 005.