Cantonal contribution to the Rheinau Music Island
The Canton of Zurich is to support the Rheinau Music Island with a contribution of CHF 8.47 million from the lottery fund. This is what the cantonal government is proposing to the cantonal council.
The contribution will go towards the tenant-specific expansion of the buildings as well as towards the interior fit-out and the purchase of instruments for the music center, which will open on the Rheinau monastery island on 24 May 2014.
In September 2012, the cantonal council approved a project loan of CHF 28.5 million by a large majority for the renovation work and structural measures to convert the former monastery premises into a music center.
The contribution from the lottery fund for the tenant-specific extension would reduce this amount by CHF 5.6 million. This amount relates to the value-adding costs of the current conversion. In addition to the contribution to the construction costs, the Government Council is requesting CHF 2.53 million in favor of the foundation for the interior fittings and CHF 330,000 for the purchase of instruments.
The Swiss Music Island Rheinau Foundation rents the premises from the canton at an annual rent of CHF 330,000. It also covers the extensive start-up costs and the high operating deficits to be expected even with good capacity utilization.
