Showering after football training was not possible for everyone last winter and the temperature of the water in the heated swimming pools often dropped a few degrees. Despite these kinds of measures and the current national energy ceiling, it is difficult for many (sports) associations, swimming pools and village houses to keep their heads above water due to the high energy prices.
In the municipality of Coevorden, a motion was therefore already adopted in November 2022 in the council to set up an emergency fund for these (sports) associations. But first we had to find out exactly who needs it and what amounts are involved. The time has now come. The inventory has been drawn up and the application for the scheme is possible from 19 April.
The entire council of Coevorden is unanimous in support of the proposal. “In addition to the corona misery, these parties had to deal with the energy crisis,” says council member Irma Talens of the VVD. “We can only support this proposal, these associations, village halls and swimming pools are important for our society.”
The municipality expects to be able to reach about fifty parties with the emergency fund. A total of 750,000 euros will be made available, with an average amount of 2,500 euros per (sports) association, village hall or swimming pool. The associations can be awarded money retroactively for the period between November 2022 and May 2023.
Alderman Joop Slomp (PvdA) indicates that it is about ‘customization’, because the energy contracts differ per organization. “Due to the large differences, you cannot choose one line,” explains the alderman. “That is why we expect that the amounts we will award will vary widely.”
Slomp also expresses its gratitude to all the associations that contributed to the inventory. “About 38 of the 70 parties we approached responded to our questions and that was very helpful to us. They shared all the information needed to make the fund possible. They also often came up with ideas.”
“We will not automatically fully compensate the parties for the increased energy prices,” says the alderman. “They will also have to make efforts themselves to reduce energy consumption.”
Energy scans and an action plan for making the accommodations more sustainable will be linked to the Emergency Fund scheme.
In addition to the emergency fund, 2 million euros has also been made available for making the (sports) associations, village halls and swimming pools more sustainable. Party chairman Henk Bouwers of the PPC would like to know what the state of affairs is. “Because that is at least as important as the emergency fund,” he says.
The alderman indicates that this is still being worked on: “Setting up that scheme also takes a lot of time. That was not possible at the same time as setting up this scheme.” Nevertheless, the alderman has promised that a proposal will be made to make the associations more sustainable in the fourth quarter of 2023.