The Jesenice Mountaineering Association has begun the renovation of Koča na Golici. "The hut will be practically brand new in two years," said the president of the mountaineering association, Robert Erjavšek.
Last autumn, the proposal by the association's management, led by Egon Kepič, to sell Tičarjev dom na Vršiču due to high indebtedness caused by the renovation of Koča pri izviru Soče, upset the members of the Jesenice Mountaineering Association. The members rejected this proposal at an extraordinary general meeting in October last year, and the association's management proceeded with other measures to stabilize operations.
Bojan Erjavšek took over the leadership of the association in March. As he explained to STA, he applied for the leadership only to prevent the sale of the huts. "These huts were built with so much sacrifice and effort that I can't imagine why anyone would sell them, as there is absolutely no need for it," he emphasized. He added that Tičarjev dom na Vršiču is of inestimable value and that such heritage must not be sold.
Erjavšek first tackled the rescheduling of loans and the reduction of credit obligations. The association had three loans, each with worse terms. At the same time, the association focused on improving the operations of Koča na Golici, which is the only one of the association's four huts under its direct management; the other three are rented out. They increased marketing and strengthened cooperation with agencies. Thus, Koča na Golici achieved record results in this summer season.
At the same time, the association applied for a call for non-repayable funds from the Eko Fund for the energy renovation of Koča na Golici. As Erjavšek emphasized, the association has created a sufficiently satisfactory basis for investment through loan rescheduling, increased hut revenues, and obtaining non-repayable funds. The previous management was most concerned that necessary investments could not be carried out due to over-indebtedness.
Above all, the over 40-year-old Koča na Golici needs renovation. In the Eko Fund call for energy renovation of mountaineering huts, the association obtained 150,000 euros in non-repayable funds for replacing building joinery and renovating the roof and facade, and it will provide about 60,000 euros itself.
As Erjavšek said, the works will proceed gradually, as the association does not have enough money to advance them. These days, the replacement of new windows and shutters worth 55,000 euros has begun. Once 70 percent of the investment is reimbursed after submitting all documentation, the association can proceed to the next phase: the roof first in April, followed by the facade.
In October, the association already began renovating the balcony and railing with its own funds. They supplemented the kitchen with new stoves and replaced mattresses; they will also replace the wooden parts of the beds and arrange the upper balcony. With the help of the Eko Fund, they plan to upgrade the solar power plant and central heating in the second year. "The hut will be practically brand new in two years," Erjavšek emphasized.
In the future, he wants all huts to gradually return to the association's management. He also highlighted the low rents for Erjavčeva koča and Koča v pri izviru Soče. "Rental contracts are practically impossible to terminate, so we will wait for them to expire. I believe that in a few years we will be able to manage the huts ourselves, as it is not in our interest to have them rented out," he said.
Source:
https://www.rtvslo.si/zabava-in-slog/ture-avanture/zacela-se-je-prenova-koce-na-golici-cez-dve-leti-bo-tako-rekoc-cisto-nova/764356