A ‘disgrace’, a ‘bitter pill’ and a ‘big mistake’. The Borger-Odoorn municipal council did not mince words during the committee meeting in the town hall in Exloo. There was discussion about the additional 538,000 euros needed for the sports park in Odoorn. The municipal council absolutely supports the renovation, but is critical of the extra money.
After the purchasing process for the construction of the joint club building, it turned out in June that the costs would be more than one million euros more expensive. The municipality and the clubs have sat down to reduce costs. The deficit is now still 538,000 euros. The mayor and aldermen are asking the city council to provide that extra money so that the construction of the club building can continue.
The city council was, to say the least, not happy with yet another financial setback for the renovation of the sports park. Leefbaar Borger-Odoorn calls it a ‘disgrace’ and D66 a ‘miss’. Several parties, including Municipal Interests, GroenLinks and PvdA, felt put on the spot. Especially because the price from contractor Brands Bouw is valid until September 29, while the council must decide on the evening of September 28.
“The skin has already been sold before the bear was shot,” says Stephan de Vries of the opposition party Gemeentebelangen. “We feel pressured from several sides. Our heads are on the block and the ax is very close. More than five hundred members will be severely disappointed if the budget is not increased.”
Pieter de Groot of GroenLinks feels put on the spot. “And then I become very annoying. Because I don’t want that. I’m here because I have to set frameworks and be in control, I can’t justify the increase,” he says. “I would like to ask the council to take back the document in order to provide better financial substantiation so that I have insight. I refuse to make decisions in this way.”
Coalition party Leefbaar Borger-Odoorn also has questions. “How can this be explained?” asks Annemiek de Groot. “It’s not small change or tenner’s work. How do you think of it? To demolish all club buildings. All buildings have already been demolished, what influence do we still have?” De Groot urged the council to quickly provide a clear and concise overview.
Municipal interests and Leefbaar Borger-Odoorn also wonder to what extent the investment compares to investments in other villages. For example, the renovation of the sports park in Borger is also planned.
Councilor Ankie van Tongeren (CDA) emphasizes that in the past the municipal council opted for four so-called core complexes, namely Nieuw-Buinen, Valthermond, Odoorn and Borger. “It involves customization per complex. Renovation or new construction cannot be compared with each other. In Valthermond, for example, it involved renovation of the club building, which is different from a completely new complex.”
According to Van Tongeren, it is difficult to give guarantees at this time. “We live in turbulent times. The world is uncertain, that is not over yet. We continue to steer very hard, but it is not that simple.” The councilor also warns that she expects the renovation of the sports park in Borger to be more expensive. “But that’s why we want to complete Odoorn first before we move on to other things.”
“On the one hand, I understand that you feel pressured because of the date of September 29,” Van Tongeren responds to the arguments. “But if we had set the date before the decision-making of the municipal council, it would have been of no use because the municipal council has to make a decision about it. Further back, it is not nice towards the contractor. They also want to work on their projects. But the choice remains with the municipal council, and I take you as a council very seriously.”
Several council parties also wondered whether more savings or surrenders could be made by the clubs, or whether the clubs might borrow extra. According to Van Tongeren this is what it is. “This is what lies ahead tonight. It is quite tough for the clubs, they are already making significant sacrifices. Sport must be financially and physically accessible to everyone. We also want to keep the clubs financially healthy.”