The municipality of Borger-Odoorn is on the eve of a renovation of the town hall in Exloo. Work will start from mid -August this year and employees have to work temporarily elsewhere. The choice fell at the old Esdal College in Borger.
“It’s a logical choice,” said a spokesperson for the municipality. “The building is all our property and with some adjustments it is suitable as a temporary work location.” Employees will work both in the old Esdal College and in a wing of the town hall. Working from home also remains an option.
The old Esdal College was actually on the nomination to be demolished. However, this temporary housing does not cause delay. “The demolition was only planned after 2025, for ongoing investigations, for example to bats. As soon as we are out, the demolition can begin,” the spokesperson assures.
For former director Tjessse van de Kamp (70) this news does not come as a surprise. “I had heard of it,” he says. Van de Kamp fights for preserving the oldest part of the building. “If the municipality uses the building temporarily, great! I have always said: do something beautiful with it. Be creative and use the possibilities,” he says.
But Van de Kamp cannot accept the disappearance of, as he calls it, a piece of heritage of Borger. “The municipality says it reduces style elements to the new building, but that is not the same as preservation,” he says disappointed.
Together with heritage organization Bond Heemschut and hundreds of supporters, he tries to convince the city council, among other things by a petition. “Beforehand, there was never serious look at renovation,” he claims. “That’s a shame.”
Despite the protests, the future of Esdal College seems to be established. But first the building gets a final destination. “We only adjust to what is needed: what IT facilities and a lick of paint,” says the spokesperson. “We expect to be able to return to the renewed town hall in mid -2026.”
For Van de Kamp that is a bitter pill. “In 2026 the building is empty and the demolitioners can go their own way. But I will continue to hope that someone will see the value of what we are in danger of losing.”