September 2022:
On Monday, September 5, 2022, Mr. Marko Škoberne, president of the board of Esotech, d.d., as contractor and concessionaire of the project, together with the grantor Municipality of Žalec - Mayor Mr. Janko Kos, and users of JZ Kindergartens of the Municipality of Žalec - the headmistress Mrs. Natalija Starič Žikić, marked the start of construction by laying the foundation stone. The event was enriched with a program by children who attend the Žalec kindergarten, as well as majorettes and the Liboje band. The laying of the foundation stone took place in the presence of guests of the Municipality of Žalec, the deputy mayor, municipal councilors, the extended project team, supervision, journalists and the interested public. Esotech, d.d. also donated 5.000 EUR to JZ Vrtci Občine Žalec for the purchase of teaching and didactic aids.
Since the signing of the concession contract (January 2022), the design of the Žalec zahod kindergarten, the acquisition of all necessary permits and a building permit, the arrangement of sources of financing for the project, the arrangement of the construction site and the start of earthworks, have taken place. The execution of GOI works, electrical and mechanical installations for the construction of a 9-section kindergarten with a central kitchen and comprehensive external arrangement will take place until September 2023, when the use permit will be obtained and the use of the facility will begin. Kindergarten Žalec zahod is the third kindergarten that Esotech, d.d. builds according to the public-private partnership system, namely the "DFBOT" model, which means design-finance-build-manage and take ownership. The concessionaire will maintain and operate the facility for 15 years (September 2038).