The Hunebed Center in Borger will receive a subsidy of 200,000 euros from the province of Drenthe. The subsidy is intended for a number of studies that are necessary for the renewal and sustainability of the museum.
“Before we can start renovating the Hunebed Center, many things have to be arranged first,” says Harrie Wolters, director of the Hunebed Center. “The studies that need to be carried out concern, for example, making the building more sustainable and parking safety. Each part requires a plan and research.”
In the future, the Hunebed Center, together with Geopark De Hondsrug and the Drentse Landschap Foundation, wants to focus on the Drenthe landscape in the renovated museum. “For example, we want to show how the Drenthe landscape came into existence and what is now happening to that landscape,” says Wolters.
To achieve this, it is important that the museum gets a new look. “We have UNESCO status in this area. The appearance of the building could be a bit more impressive than it is now. We receive around 80,000 visitors every year, but around 250,000 people walk around the site.”
A stone’s throw from the Hunebed Center is the largest dolmen in the Netherlands. That’s where most people go. “Many visitors only come in for a visit to the toilet or a cup of coffee,” says Wolters.
By improving the appearance of the building, Wolters hopes that more of those visitors will also buy a ticket for the museum. “It’s always nice to attract more visitors.”
Wolters hopes that all necessary reports will be ready by 2027 and that they can then take the next step: construction.
Wolters previously announced that the entire renovation will cost around 27.5 million euros. The Hunebed Center cannot pay this amount out of its own pocket, and has therefore engaged a fundraiser. “The recruiter looks for money through governments, funds and perhaps into Europe.”