The building is named after its worn and dated predecessor, De Klabbe aan de Creel, which dates from 1973. “That building was finished after 50 years,” says alderman René van der Weide, who visits the new sports hall together with project leader Rik Zinnemers. “It took some time to realize this plan, but the location has not been an easy one.”
The new Klabbe is located in the middle of the village center. The former catering business of the Abeln family, which burned down in 2010, and an old church were located on the site. Both have now been cleared. The area lay fallow for several years, but in 2018 the municipality already announced the new construction plans for the sports hall at this location.
In the end, it took until last year before a shovel could finally be put into the ground. On the side of the Hoofdkanaal, another 21 owner-occupied and rental apartments are being built by entrepreneur Ruud Plas. Which, according to Van der Weide, also offers a beautiful view from the canal side.
The sports facility is larger than its predecessor. Both schools and various sports clubs will soon be using it. Thanks to dividing walls, the hall can be divided into three and thus play several matches. According to Zinnemers, that makes it a multifunctional room. “Each sub-space has a storage room and two dressing rooms.”
The changing rooms are located on the ground floor, with a side stand on top that overlooks the sports hall with wooden floor. “The wood is at the request of the sports associations, including handball association DOS,” says Zinnemers.
The ‘springy’ character of the material is a godsend for handball or basketball. DOS is also the party that will eventually operate the canteen.
According to Zinnemers, not much needs to be done in the hall anymore. “The wooden grandstand benches will be finished in the summer. For the rest, the building is ready for use, or some minor furnishing matters.”
The main part of the work is outside rather than inside the new Klabbe. The street in front of the hall, De Spindel, is currently being redeveloped. That work has also been completed for the official opening of De Klabbe on 29 September, says Zinnemers.