School investment in the countryside

In September, the symbolic first shovel of soil was taken for the new Unbyn preschool and primary school. Present were children and staff from the current operations, local politicians, officials, parents, community groups, and representatives from the construction company Skanska, which organised the ceremony.

“It means a great deal that we show confidence in the future of Unbyn and the countryside, and that in Boden we dare to invest in what we believe in,” says Johan Lund, chair of the Labour Market and Education Committee.

Building for the future

Boden Municipality stands out from many others by deliberately investing in new preschools and now a new rural school. Between 2019 and 2025, four preschools have been completed — three entirely new and one combined renovation and new build of an F–6 school. These investments are made to meet population goals and ensure Boden remains an attractive place to live, work, and move to.

“It is not very common for municipalities to build new schools and preschools, especially not in rural areas, so this feels especially exciting,” says Gabriella Snell, building project manager for Boden Municipality.

The new Unbyn preschool and primary school will be a flexible building aligned with the municipality’s functional design programme. It will accommodate around 30 preschool children aged one to five, and about 60 pupils aged six to twelve. The building is designed for a total of 100–120 children. It will be constructed on two floors and include a commercial kitchen, dining area, workspace for teachers and student support services. The gross floor area is approximately 1,340 m². The project budget is SEK 56 million for the building and SEK 2.5 million for furniture and equipment.

“We have focused on calm learning environments and furnishings in natural colours with a lot of wood. There will also be a modern schoolyard with separate areas for younger and older children, designed to encourage movement and outdoor play,” explains Charlotte Olofsson, facilities coordinator for the Labour Market and Education Administration.

Children at the centre

The old school was built in the 1930s and was in poor condition. Its technical lifespan had passed, and it could no longer meet today’s standards for education facilities, accessibility, fire safety, and more.

“Many people are very happy that construction has finally begun and that the children are at the centre. Investing in a combined preschool and school gives the village confidence in the future. It is an important factor for families who are considering moving here. As a school leader, I see clear benefits in having preschool and school together,” says Kamilla Vesterberg, principal in Unbyn.

The new rural school will be completed in autumn 2026 and open in January 2027. During construction, Unbyn’s school operations are temporarily located in the facilities of Heden School.

“It feels important that we remain one unified organisation, and we are grateful for the warm welcome from Heden School,” Kamilla adds.

This news article was also published in Boden Bild issue 2–2025. Curious about more news from Boden Bild? Explore the full collection.