According to Metsähallitus, the company renting the lower floor of the main building is a more suitable tenant for the property. According to the Koli cultural society, Metsähallitus did not propose, for example, a rent increase.
– Our wings are being cut off.
– Of course, there are many points of view here, and one of them is the impoverished situation in rural areas. We do work, which is important in rural areas, and often in sparsely populated areas, associations bring quite a lot of vitality and things that are otherwise unavailable to the area.
The state acquired and renovated Koli Ryynänen’s property in the 1990s for the use of art and culture, and Koli’s cultural society has maintained an international artist residency at Koli Ryynänen’s property for over twenty years.
However, the future termination of the lease did not come as a complete surprise to Riikones.
– It did not come as a complete surprise, because we have had a discussion that they are trying to find alternative premises for us. Unfortunately, none of them have been the kind that would allow for a long-term option. The information about the termination of the lease came as a surprise.
According to Riikonen, the real estate situation in Koli is generally unpleasant.
– Koli has a rather acute housing shortage, meaning people cannot find homes. There can be buildings in pretty bad shape, which for some reason are not sold on. They cannot be used.
Riikonen says that Metsähallitus did not, for example, propose a rent increase or renegotiate the lease terms.
In the future, the Residence is to be rented out to a restaurant entrepreneur operating on the ground floor.
The culture club questions how it can be possible that the purpose of use of the residence is changed so much that it is only used by a restaurant owner.
– We have a lot of respect for the restaurateur working in the residence, and they also increase the vitality of our village. However, we, as the cultural society of Koli, have a different mission in the village community. Both would be important.
Metsähallitus: Alternative places have not been suitable
– We should charge the same amount of rent from all tenants, regardless of how the premises are used. Although this has been an activity of general interest, government real estate cannot be priced on different bases.
At the same time, the lessee should also participate in taking care of the property. Metsähallitus feels that Koli Companies, the company renting the lower floor of the main building, is seen as a more suitable tenant for the property for these reasons.
In addition, according to him, there has been unpleasant feedback about the residency activities.
– For a long time, there has been negative feedback from users of the residence that it is a bit of a restless place. It is because the restaurant has evening activities. The artists who rented the residence lived in the same building.
According to Hovi, the negotiations with the Koli cultural club already started last fall. According to Hov, the possible dismissal was already reported then.
– We have tried to offer them an alternative place, and the negotiations did not lead to any solution.
But is there anything the residents can do to change the matter?
– Then a decision to cancel this solution would be needed in Metsähallitus. Such a thing is theoretically possible.
Hovi still considers it very likely that the lease will expire.
– If miracles don’t happen, then this is true.
According to him, the notice period is three months, but the notice of termination has not been sent yet.
Hovi says that he has sent a written decision to the Koli culture club, which explains the reasons for the dismissal.
Although the notice period is only three months, it is possible to extend the rental period until the end of the year, for example.
The chat connection has not been lost
Sirpa Riikonen of the Koli cultural society stresses that the purpose of the Koli cultural society is not to quarrel with Metsähallitus.
– At this point, the situation is this, that if they want to get rid of us, then we have to do something. There is no intent to dispute and we will certainly continue the conversation.
Kol’s cultural society also made an address on the matter in order to secure the future of the artist residency. Riikonen sees writing on the subject as an outright duty.
– We did it in order to make our own voice and speech heard. Of course, then the matter is that important and does not only affect Koli, but the entire cultural sector. We felt that it was our responsibility to bring the matter to light and public discussion.