The underground is leaking and the koek-en-zopie window is about to collapse: the Drouwenerveen ice rink has seen better days. For years there has been a plan for a brand new concrete track, where you can both skate and rollerblade.
This long-cherished wish now seems to be coming true, because the initiators can receive a substantial subsidy from the area fund. This came about because of the arrival of the windmills of the Drentse Monden and Oostermoer wind farm. The money from the fund can be used for such projects, which increase the quality of life in the surrounding villages.
“A lot of use is made of the ice rink and the plan is widely supported,” says leader Marinus Hulshof, while standing on the football field. The 200-metre ice and skating rink should be located there. “It’s also next to the village hall, so we have a good home there.”
According to him, it would not have been possible to pay without the money from the area fund. “No, absolutely not. We think it will cost between 200,000 and 250,000 euros. That cannot be determined exactly because prices have been rising quite a bit lately. But it will remain somewhere between those two amounts.”
The football field is green, with two goals on either side and bushes behind it. “Those bosses will be removed behind and in front. That’s where the bends will be. The goals go inwards, so that the football field continues to exist, although slightly smaller.”
According to Hulshof, it will be a luxury job. “A rubble track will be laid, with a sloping concrete track on it. A light coating so that the sunlight is reflected. There is no need for a tractor with slurry tank to spray, because there will be so-called pop-ups. Those are sprinkler systems and if it becomes a degree of 4 or 5, then we will provide the track with water. It is built up in layers. In the summer you can skate on it.”
In addition, there will be an electric loop around it for lighting and music. “We have requested a preliminary consultation and the money has been made available from the area fund. So we hope that the shovel will go into the ground this year. And it would be very nice if we can skate in January or February,” laughs Hulshof.