The repair work for the biochron plagued by moisture problems in Emmen cost 2.5 million euros. The municipality is responsible for six tons, contractor Koenen Bouw pays the rest.
During the work, the current natural stone skin of the complex is replaced by a new facade of the same material. That is the outcome of the consultation between the municipality and contractor, aldermen Jan Bos and Albert Jan Jakobs announced today.
The Diep organization (formerly the Center for Visual Arts) would actually have moved into the former shark basin or Biochron in the Rensenpark last spring. During the work, moisture problems occurred, aggravated by the wet spring. As a result, the construction stopped for months.
At the beginning of this year, the cube -like buildings were packed with foil and put on the scaffolding to dry things. In the meantime, the municipality and contractor have sat around the table to talk about a solution. That led to the aforementioned outcome, according to Bos. Koenen applies a new mounting method for the new natural stone low, so that repetition is prevented. “If we want to do it right, then this is the way. We expect to get a completion of the job this year.”
But Bos acknowledges somewhat ‘with abdominal pain’ to go to the council with this message. Because it is not the first time that extra money has been deducted for this project. The construction originally took 5.5 million euros. Due to increased energy and construction costs, another 1.5 million euros had to be added. And now again 2.5 million euros of which the municipality is responsible for six tons and Koenen build the rest. If it later comes to any additional costs, then that is for the account of Koenen, according to Bos.
About the cause of the problems, Bos is in the middle. “It is just who you ask. We say: it depends on the implementation and Koenen, ‘We Agree to Disagree’. This has happened to us. It happened to Koenen. Despite everything we have come to a good solution, I think.” In this case, the municipality did not opt for a legal process. “In that case you are a few years later, you also incur additional costs and the damage present would only worsen. Moreover, you have to look at an ugly place in the center for longer.
Incidentally, the municipality does not ask the council for six tons but 750,000 euros in extra credit. Necessary because of the additional costs of project guidance and advice, according to Bos. Jacobs expects that deep at the end of 2025 or early 2026 can finally move into their new accommodation.