City government: continuation of the economic program and update of the service network – ready in May 2026

1.12.2025 News Participate and influence Living in Riihimäki Education and training Town government Town council Adult education center, music school and art school Awards Service network Decision making Finance and procurement Program for a stable economy Voimala

A red brick power plant building with a long chimney, photographed from the air. Next to the power plant are a few green trees and a roundabout. On the other side of the road is a low, long building and behind it is a railway. — Riihimäki Travel Center and Power Plant from the north.

At its meeting held on Monday, December 1, 2025, the Riihimäki City Board decided, among other things, on the stable economy program, the updating of the early childhood education and basic education service network, the Voimala project plan, the needs assessment of colleges, and the distribution of scholarships from the Jukka Jalonen Fund.

Continuation of the Stable Economic Program

The City Board decided to initiate the preparation of the continuation of the stable economy program. The program's steering group consists of the City Board and the City Council Presidium, the City Management Group of the project group, and the first chairmen of the council and the board. The City Board proposes to the council that it take note of the preparation of the continuation of the program.

According to the decision, the continuation of the stable economy program should be completed during May 2026. The continuation of the program is justified because next year's budget will have a deficit of 2,1 million euros. The deficit is predicted to increase in the coming years. Without the continuation of the stable economy program, the city's annual budget will be insufficient for investments and loan repayments.

The city board proposes to the council to update the service network

The City Government proposes to the council that the early childhood education and basic education service network be updated. During the update, it will be investigated how the service network could be condensed and what kind of effects the condensation will have on personnel, properties, housing and zoning. During the study, the aim is to produce a view on unified school paths, principles of student admission and group sizes in pre-school and basic education.

According to the government's decision, the newest units, such as Uramo school and daycare center and Piikinmäki and Uunilintu daycare centers, may be excluded from the service network update. In addition, the following may be excluded: Eteläinen koulu, which is centrally located and has the second largest number of students among the primary schools in Riihimäki. The proposal also includes consultation with guardians, students and staff.

Like the Stable Economy Program, the service network update work should be completed during May 2026. The update steering group consists of the City Board and the City Council Presidium. The project group for the work is the Education and Welfare Board, the Director of Education and the necessary experts.

Updating the service network plays a key role in the city's program for a stable economy. The number of children born in Riihimäki has plummeted.

Voimala project for public comment

The City Council is requesting statements from committees and numerous stakeholders on the draft project plan for the Voimala. The statements must be submitted to the city by the end of January 2026. In addition, the Council is requesting Riihimäen Tilat ja Kehitys Oy (RTOY) to draw up preliminary agreements with the Voimala's tenants.

The Voimala, located in the immediate vicinity of Riihimäki Railway Station, is intended to be developed into a unique event and cultural center. The project has been prepared under the leadership of the city since 2022. According to the schedule presented in the project plan, the Voimala could be operational in spring 2028.

According to the project plan, it would be good to develop Voimala in a city-led manner. The total project costs are approximately 22,1 million euros excluding VAT. The costs include design and construction fees, separate investments by tenants, and project reserves.

The city has prepared for a total investment of 7,5 million euros in the budget investment plan. In addition, it is likely that the city will need a guarantee for the loan of the real estate company to be established.

The final approval of the project plan and the investment decision will be made after the statements requested on the draft and other calculations and analyses have been discussed by the City Council.

Project planning for the college and youth center has started.

The government approved the needs assessment for the colleges and youth centres. At the same time, it decided to launch the project planning for the colleges and youth centre so that the music college would be located in Voimala and the other functions, with the exception of the art school, would be located in their current properties. If the Voimala project does not proceed to implementation, the situation of the music college will be reassessed.

The most necessary repairs and improvements to accessibility are planned for the colleges and the youth center over a five-year period. A separate needs assessment will be prepared for the Kalevantalo building and the activities located there, such as the art school.

The government's decision requires a service network update for the community college and youth facilities.

In addition, the government decided that a separate project plan will not be launched for the city's weaving mill and that no renovation investments will be planned.

Four receive scholarships from the Jukka Jalonen Fund

The government awarded scholarships of 300 euros to four young people from the Jukka Jalonen Fund. The scholarships will be awarded to basketball player David Asamoah, boxers Ilo and Kosmo Grönroos, dancer Ilona Hämäläinen, and archer Anton Karlström.

Riihimäki ice hockey coach Jukka Jalonen has been involved in evaluating all 31 scholarship applications. In June 2023, the Riihimäki City Council established a scholarship fund named after the Riihimäki ice hockey coach as a reward for the Finnish national ice hockey team's success in 2022.