There is a future again for multifunctional accommodation ‘t Brughuus in Valthermond after months of uncertainty. The old De Af Draai foundation has stopped, but a new board has taken over. With a new manager, new foundation and fresh plans, the building must once again become the beating heart of the village.
At the beginning of this year, the curtain seemed to finally fall for the De Af Draai Foundation, the organization that was responsible for the management of ‘t Brughuus for years. Financial shortages, high costs and a shortage of board members made continuation impossible.
“The situation was so dire that we actually wanted to pull the plug on September 1,” says former board member Herman ten Hoor. “We received no additional support from the municipality, and the board members resigned one by one.”
Moreover, from June onwards the board was on its own after the manager left. “Even though this was in good consultation, everything had to be taken care of by volunteers,” says Ten Hoor. “Everything came down to the same few people and the meetings were not really about anything other than money. That sapped everyone’s energy.”
Against that background, Roelof Tuin and Gunhar Koops, both active in village interests, decided to come forward. “We heard that things were going badly and thought: it can’t be possible for ‘t Brughuus to close, can it?” says Tuin. “We entered into discussions with the municipality to see what was still possible.”
Those conversations had results. The municipality showed itself willing to think along, and there was room for a fresh design. That became the MFA ‘t Brughuus Foundation. “The old foundation is a thing of the past,” says Koops. “We’re starting with a clean slate, without old wounds. Cheer up, and go.”
An important difference with the previous situation is that Koops has been appointed as the new manager. “The previous manager had a different contract, in which he did not have to be there during the weekend, for example. That simply did not work,” says Tuin. “Gunhar has catering experience and is very visible, even on Saturdays. That makes a world of difference.”
This change means that ‘t Brughuus is open more often and the pressure on volunteers is reduced. “The previous foundation always had to run the entire bar with volunteers,” Koops adds. “That was unsustainable.”
The new board currently has two board members and one administrator, but that is working well for the time being. “We had to start small,” says Tuin. “We have clear agreements with the municipality and have two years to show that things can be improved. We will then evaluate together how things are going.”
A different layout of the building is also being considered. “The community center room is now at the very back. We want to bring it more forward, so that it becomes more inviting,” says Koops. “The building is a bit cramped, which could be more livable.”
In addition to the operation, there is also an activities committee that organizes parties, bingos and other activities. “We hope that there will be more excitement again,” says Tuin. “T Brughuus is not a brown café, but also not a bare sports canteen, it must become the cozy meeting place it used to be.”
In the coming years, the board mainly wants to work on greater visibility and involvement of residents. “Sixty percent of the people in Valthermond have never been here,” says Ten Hoor. “That has to change. The quality of life in the village is important, and a place like ‘t Brughuus is indispensable for that.”
With support from the municipality and plans for sustainable renovation of the building, including the possible arrival of two new primary schools next to the building, the future finally seems to be looking brighter again.
“It was borderline,” Tuin concludes. “But now we have the time, the confidence and a fresh start. We are going all out to make ‘t Brughuus something beautiful again.”