The intention is that the boat will be tied up at Zomerdijk, near the bridge in Handelsweg. But there the water turns out to be too shallow. The boat is therefore now in Staphorster waters. “The bottom of the Meppeler Diep will be leveled in the coming days,” says project leader Heidy Oort on behalf of the municipality of Meppel. “Then the boat can quickly go that way.”
New paving and utilities are currently being worked on at the Zomerdijk. The entire site has been re-paved so that the boat is accessible. Extra paving has also been laid for parking spaces and the placement of office units, in which the staff will soon be able to work. The biggest challenge turned out to be staffing. “That is difficult, the labor market is tight anyway,” says Oort. “But at the town hall they have done their best and all functions have been filled, so it will be fine.”
Getting security guards is still the biggest challenge. “We appeal to the same company as COA, but they are receiving so many requests at the moment that they have shortages. But that has also been filled in.”
The arrival of skilled security guards was very important for the municipality. If that had not worked, the entire plan for housing the refugees would have been called off. “We want professional security guards, you never know what will come your way if you live on a boat with 110 people,” says Oort.
In the near future, the finishing touches will be put on the Zomerdijk and on the ship to prepare everything. “Then you are talking about facilities such as sewerage and electricity. Installing Wi-Fi is also important, and many other basic things still need to be done.”
The first residents will arrive next week. The composition of the people is not yet known, except that they will not be families. Oort: “It is a surprise who will come, except that it will not be children. We think that is too risky on a boat. This will be a crisis emergency location. This means that this is an overflow location. All the people who come in here go so quickly. possibly back to Ter Apel to register there.
According to the municipality, the guidance from COA is good. “I assume that they are very happy that a good location has been found. Contacts are very good and we mainly work together. If they want to take over later, it will be well arranged,” concludes Oort.