A brand new gymnasium, a medical center and, if possible, a new village hall. Barger-Compascuum is buzzing with plans, as was evident tonight in the De Collink community center. The Municipality of Emmen, Local Interest Barger-Compascuum and other involved organizations gave the almost full room an insight into the progress of these plans.
Over the past thirty years, the village has had to say goodbye to many things. Two schools, three catering establishments, a supermarket, a bank and a petrol pump disappeared. What is left must be preserved or strengthened, is the theme of the presentation.
The most concrete initiative so far is the replacement of the outdated gymnasium on Postweg. “This is known as the oldest in the municipality of Emmen (built in 1963),” said village chairman Willie Berends. Moreover, the current hall is far too small by modern standards and the successor must be two to three times as large.
Two possible new locations have been investigated for the gymnasium: near the sports park or near the Sint Theresia primary school. The preference is for the latter, as becomes clear after a tour of the village.
A gymnasium at the primary school is better suited to education and the childcare available there (Villa Tovertuin). However, a bite will be taken from the schoolyard for the new construction. And for this location, the municipality, as architect, must consult with several landowners. But research into this will be done in the near future.
The move of the gymnasium also offers opportunities for general practitioners Dirk Andriessen and Lieve Den Boer. The two took over the temporary flex doctor project Veendokters at the beginning of this year, much to the relief of residents and healthcare organization Dokter Drenthe. Because in 2019, the peat village was in danger of losing its general practice after the retirement of general practitioner Van der Wal.
But the current accommodation is untenable, says Andriessen. He states that a new medical center should be built within four years. “If nothing happens in that time, then in my opinion the practice has no future.”
“It’s not called a tiny house for nothing,” he says about his current practice space. “It is a cramped accommodation with two rooms.” The emergency solution was necessary after the departure of the previous GP led to a succession of observers. “They were always allowed to dip a toe in the water. I stayed, but I need more space.”
He calls the current situation simply a matter of making do. “Tie piece of cake,” he says. He and his colleagues now also use the premises of an adjacent, former kindergarten. This was renovated to create additional consultation rooms.
But it is anything but ideal. “Last summer the temperature inside was 40 degrees. Without the option to open windows.” The hygienic conditions also leave much to be desired. “For example, we do urine tests. This has to be done on the counter, where we also spread our bread.”
According to Andriessen, the location of the current gymnasium basically meets everything a general practice needs. There is parking, but it will need to be modernized. “The idea is also to collaborate with multiple parties. Think of physiotherapy, home care, social work, perhaps the pharmacy.”
In addition, there is a clear wish for a so-called ‘village living room’: a central place where associations and social organizations can meet each other. The current socio-cultural community center De Collink is widely used, but is outdated and closed on weekends. Research also shows that there is a need for places where people can come together, according to village chairman Willie Berends. “Where you can have a cup of coffee and talk to each other.”
Berends outlines a future with combined functions. “A village living room, possibly with a small pub. Or a multifunctional place where you might also be able to set up a small vending machine for daily shopping.”
According to Berends, the support from the municipality is great. “We have always said: if we ask for help, we also want to realize the plan. Not that it becomes another file in a drawer.” His expectation: “There will be a new gym in 2027, and in 2028 general practitioners will be able to move into the new medical center.” And the village hall? “It will come after that,” he says. “I have every confidence.”