They can, if well kept. So can just about any acoustic, if well kept. I’d sooner see them make room in their budget for competent maintenance and get instruments that aren’t so deluxe. Anyhow the article says “or designed by Steinway” which sounds like Chinese make instruments, even if using Steinway specifications.
Well, in that case they got ripped off.
Those pianos are not worth rebuilding. They last maybe 10 years then you have to throw them in the fireplace.