The Berga City Council has presented a project to renovate and restore the former premises of the Llar Santa Maria de Queralt, located at Balmes street number 8, in the old town. The objective is to transform the space, currently disused since the foundation's relocation in October 2009, into a new public square.
The proposal has been submitted for the grant call of the Generalitat's Pla de Barris (Neighborhood Plan). If the grant is obtained, 661,387 euros will be allocated to the works, which should be completed by 2030. The project includes the demolition of the most deteriorated part of the building facing the street, including the facade and the main entrance, to create a corridor accessing the inner courtyard, which will become the new square.
The newer part of the building, with a surface area of 1,322 m2, will be renovated for new educational uses. One of the main ideas is to relocate the Ramon Maria Serchs open center, currently housed in the Hotel d'Entitats on Mestre Pedret street. This service, aimed at children and adolescents aged 6 to 16, offers school support and socio-educational care.
This relocation aims to provide more services to the city's old town, one of the objectives of the Pla de Barris. A feasibility study will be conducted to adapt the building to the needs of the open center, with works expected to begin in 2029.
In parallel, the City Council plans to renovate an adjacent apartment block, at number 10 Balmes street, to create three emergency social housing units. These homes will be intended to address unforeseen situations for vulnerable individuals, such as single-parent families or victims of gender-based violence. The project, valued at 597,662 euros, includes the renovation of the roof, facade, and the installation of an elevator.
