The historic Schimpach castle has remained unused for over two years, previously serving as a training centre for firefighters under the Luxembourg Civil Protection and later the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS). Following its closure, the then government proposed repurposing the castle to accommodate asylum seekers. Mayor Lucien Meyers of Wincrange notes that while the project has encountered multiple postponements, renovations are now nearing completion, with the facility set to open at the beginning of April.
The reception facility is equipped to house up to 50 individuals, although Mayor Meyers notes that, ideally, the site should host a maximum of 40 to 45 residents. The village of Schimpach currently has a population of around 60. The asylum seekers come from a wide range of countries. Plans are in place for the children among the asylum seekers to start school after the Easter holidays. To this end, the local authority has set up a special integration class. The aim is to get these children into a standard class as quickly as possible, but this will depend on their language skills. Integration efforts extend beyond the classroom, with the construction of a new playground in Schimpach intended for community-wide use, fostering inclusion and cohesion within the village.
Accommodations have been arranged within the main building and dormitory of the former fire brigade school. The expansive site encompasses not only the castle but also a disused tannery and a large park.
In October 2023, former Minister for Public Works François Bausch outlined plans to repurpose the former tannery into an educational space, providing flexibility for hosting classes if additional capacity is needed beyond the school premises. The park is maintained by the National Reception Office (ONA), which is responsible for managing the site. The park also includes a tower, which was used by student firefighters for exercises. The ONA has no plans to repurpose this building for the time being.
Wincrange’s local authorities and ONA representatives have scheduled an information meeting at the former castle for Saturday, 23 March, at 9am. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to register in advance by contacting the organisers at 99 46 96 1 or via email at secretariat@wincrange.lu.
