Youth center El Padrino in Assen is open: ‘Great if this is possible in every neighborhood’

The opening was actually planned for the end of January, but because of corona it could not take place. So that opening was held yesterday. But it is not a big unpacked party. “We’re going to do it again with the alderman there.”

It also immediately typifies El Padrino. Not great things. No cluttered agenda – there is no agenda at all. Gerwin Meertens just keeps the youth center nice and non-binding. A living room, as he describes it. The youngsters can come and play pool whenever they want. Or just pop in for a drink and a chat if they want. “Every now and then I pass by with a portion of bitterballen”, Meertens beams. “I can organize things, but one person likes something different than the other.”

In advance, Meertens hoped for a turnout of thirty to forty young people. It has become about twenty. “It’s vacation time. So you have no idea what to expect.” It’s not just young people who are attracted to it. The police officer also steps in. And some local residents. They immediately take a few crates of soda and some bags of chips.

There was a commotion among residents before the arrival of the youth center in the Kloosterveen district in Assen. They were afraid of nuisance in the street. There has been a conversation with the local residents and on Saturday they come by to wish them good luck.

So no agenda full of events for the youngsters, but that doesn’t stop Meertens from looking ahead. “How nice it would be to have a place like this in every neighborhood in Assen”, he dreams. He can already see himself working hard for it and getting started. “In the summer you can hold a football tournament. Neighborhood against neighbourhood.”

At the same time, he also remains realistic. Let’s first take a look at how this center for young people aged 13 to 17 is doing. “If the basis is okay, you can expand the process,” concludes Meertens.