Renovation of the Ivan Goran Kovačić Elementary School and XVIII Gymnasium building on Šalata has been ongoing for two years, and the City of Zagreb claims that key works are complete and that the students' return is a priority.
More than a thousand students of the Ivan Goran Kovačić Elementary School and XVIII Gymnasium on Zagreb's Šalata have been attending classes in other schools for the past two years. With the approach of the new school year and the previously announced completion deadline of September 1, 2026, concerns are growing among parents and students about whether they will return to their building on time.
Uncertainty was further heightened in early July 2026 by reports of water intrusion in the school's sports hall. In response to inquiries, the City of Zagreb provided a detailed report on the progress of works but neither directly confirmed nor denied the incident, instead emphasizing the scope of work completed so far.
The City of Zagreb states that one of the most critical segments of the renovation-the structural reinforcement-has been fully completed. "The structural reinforcement has been fully completed. Work on the installation of aluminum joinery is also almost entirely finished, with only work in the assembly hall and sports hall remaining. Roof waterproofing and the installation of eternit roof panels are nearing completion," the City stated.
Meanwhile, the interior of the building is still a construction site. "Inside the building, new glazing has been installed in classrooms on the first and second floors. The substructure for drywall work has been completed on the ground floor and first floor. Work is simultaneously being carried out on the distribution of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and drainage installations. Additionally, the installation of facade insulation on the southern elevation is underway, along with the continued assembly of the facade scaffolding," the response reads.
The City of Zagreb has again reminded of the reasons why the renovation has taken longer than initially planned. The building, constructed in the 1950s, is a protected cultural heritage site, and it was only after the start of works that it was discovered that its actual condition significantly deviates from the existing documentation.
"When the renovation began, it was found that its structure largely did not match the blueprints and that the school building was in significantly worse condition than indicated by the project," the City explained. They added that this could not have been determined earlier because the appropriate documentation did not exist. "Only when the foundations were excavated and the plaster was stripped from walls, columns, and ceilings did the true condition come to light. The deviations were significant, and the renovation project had to be adjusted accordingly, which inevitably meant an extension of the works."
The City of Zagreb emphasizes that completing the renovation of this school is an absolute priority. "The renovation of the I. G. Kovačić Elementary School and XVIII Gymnasium is a priority for the City of Zagreb, and we continuously communicate the priority and urgency to all parties involved in the construction. At the same time, the City is in communication with the school and the Parents' Council regarding the organization of classes for the next school year," they stated.
Despite the assurances, parents and students are eagerly awaiting concrete confirmation of whether they will enter the renovated classrooms on September 1, 2026. Given the scope of work still underway, the question remains whether that deadline will be met.
