On Thursday, SVT could reveal that school money was used to build Thoren Arena. A total of SEK 23 million has been sent to Thoren Arena AB. Now the politicians in Umeå are reacting to the review.
"The municipality has the same requirements for independent schools as municipal schools, but the municipality does not have the right of inspection and the municipality does not have the right of transparency," says Umeå municipal commissioner Hans Lindberg (S).
"It is clear that student money should go to the students. In other words, the school voucher should go to what they are set aside for, the school voucher should be used for education, Lindberg continues.
Has signed a lease for SEK 275 million
At the same time, Umeå Municipality has signed an agreement with Thorengruppen to lease Thoren Arena for 25 years, for just over SEK 275 million.
– It is a procurement that Umeå municipality has made and it is made according to all the rules of art, and the purpose from the municipality's part was to be able to create this football hall and we have succeeded in that, says Ari Leinonen (S), chairman of the recreation committee.
What do you think about the fact that the Thoren Group has used school money to build it?
"I don't want to comment on that at this stage, the Thoren Group has to answer that," he says.
SVT Nyheter Västerbotten has sought municipal commissioner Anders Ågren (M) without success. Umeå municipal commissioner Janet Ågen (S) does not want to comment.
Thorengruppen comments on the website about SVT's review
Thorengruppen has not wanted to comment on SVT's review, but now writes on its website:
"It is true that part of the funding comes from group contributions. The property is an investment that remains in the company while the lease continuously generates income."