CONSTRUCTION
Fall 2007
After an almost 4-year search for the optimal location to build a center for amateur astrophotography in Switzerland, we have chosen the beautiful mountain village Lue in Val Muestair, Canton Graubuenden.
October, 2007
• First contact with local authorities and visit of Lue, a tiny village on a sunny terrace at 2000 meters above sea level and the highest county in Europe. After inspection of the old and abandoned village school, the Scola Veglia, the county agrees to sell the property and we decide to transform it into the main building of the new astrophotography center
• First visit of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in Chur, the capital of Graubuenden, to present our project. The office is immediately convinced of the importance of the project for the sustainable development of Val Muestair and agrees to do the maximum to speed up the issuing of all the necessary construction permits and allows us to apply for a government loan and financial support
March, 2008
• Second visit to Lue. The original plans for a reconstruction of the old school are soon abandoned and replaced by plans for a completely new building
April, 2008
• Official creation of the Alpine Astrovillage Lue-Stailas AG (a C-corporation equivalent)
• Acquiring of important governmental documents for the realization of the project
• Assembly of the AAV advisory board
• Work on the official AAV website
• Visiting of the North-East Astronomy Forum and selection of domes and telescopes
May, 2008
• Public acceptance of the architectural plans for the new center and the astronomical dome area
• Construction permits are issued by Lue for the center and by the government for the construction of astronomical domes in a rural area closeby that needs to be re-zoned
• Posting of the AAV website
June, 2008
• Shipping of the first robotic telescope to Southern Galactic Telescope Hosting Australia SGTHA (the former Macedon Ranges Observatory International Telescope Facility)
July-September, 2008
• Continuing work on the project and discussions with the Regional Corporation Val Muestair (CRVM) about financing issue details and a business plan
• The re-zoning of the dome area is officially validated
• The coordinators of the Swiss activities related to the International Year of Astronomy 2009 offer AAV Lue-Stailas to host an expo on Astronomy for the public
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October/November, 2008
• The fourth visit to Val Muestair. Thanks to the CRVM, all financial issues regarding the new astrophotography center are almost settled
• Multiple presentations of the AAV Lue-Stailas project at governmental and public meetings resulting in great success and broad support
• Close contact with the local tourist office Tourissem Val Muestair and presentation of the project to authorities in neighboring regions and towns: Zernez, Susch, Scuol, St. Moritz)
• Multiple public demonstrations of AAV's robotic telescope in Australia and its capabilities over the internet (live webcam)
November 17, 2008
• The application for governmental support is officiallz accepted and passed by the Canton
November 18, 2008
• The local public accepts with a 2/3 majority the backup of the governmental and bank loans by the CRVM, which means the definitive “green light” for the construction of AAV Lue-Stailas
November 20, 2008
• Purchase of the old school building in Lue
November 25, 2008
• 11 am: Lue organizes the "breaking ground" ceremony for AAV Lue-Stailas with a buffet and the presence of local officials and media.
November 25, 2008
• Demolition of the old Scola Veglia begins 
Construction updates can be seen on the next page |
