Wilhelmshill at Evedal in Växjö is an important meeting place for many pensioners. The property is a donation to the municipality of Växjö which PRO and SPF in Växjö have taken care of and in exchange have had operations in the premises.

The municipality now demands, among other things, that the rental cost be increased when the premises are rented out and that the pensioners sign an agreement to perform welfare services on special housing. It is about performing tasks such as reading the newspaper for the residents or taking the person on a walk.

"Not okay to schedule voluntary work"

The pensioners believe that they are, among other things, rest guards at schools and do other activities with pensioners. But organizing activities on special accommodations goes beyond the limit.

- It is the responsibility of the municipality to ensure that there are activities on special housing, it is not right for us to do so. Scheduling that retirees should do such things is not okay. There is a limit to how much voluntary work we can do, says Eva-Britt Svensson, chairman of PRO Växjö.

Soon all pension associations in Växjö will meet to discuss how to proceed with the proposal from the municipality.

Reasonable solution

But the municipality believes that pensioners' associations have access to Wilhelmshill during the summer, and that new premises at Hovs park are also expected to be ready in a couple of years. According to Anna Tenje, the municipality's operating costs are estimated at almost SEK 700,000 per year and for these costs the municipality wants something in return.

- We think it is reasonable to see what we can do together and what the pension organizations can do to supplement us so that we pay the rent for their premises. We discussed this with the pensioners' associations and concluded that this was a smart and innovative solution, so that they can keep their summer residence and get new premises, says Anna Tenje (M) municipal council.