The municipality of Emmen continues to hope for a healthy city farm in the Rensenpark, despite the fact that operator Akka’s City Farm Foundation closed it down earlier this month. According to the municipality, it is not its fault that this party has stopped. According to councilor René van der Weide, the municipality has provided various assistance to the operators of the City Farm in the Emmer Rensenpark in recent years.
The VVD, D66 and PvdA attacked the councilor tonight. They wanted clarification about the events surrounding the closure of the petting zoo. The foundation already indicated last year that it was in financial difficulties.
The combined costs for rent, food and veterinary costs weighed heavily on the household budget. Moreover, revenues have suffered a dent since the corona crisis. Among other things, the number of donations decreased.
Since last year, the foundation board has been sitting around the table with the municipality to look at possible solutions. Patrick de Jonge (VVD) regretted the end of the farm. “We have often indicated that there should be excitement in the park. The City Farm took care of that.” In a park where seven million euros are invested (and another four hundred thousand euros annually in maintenance), something could be done for the city farm, De Jonge wondered.
Van der Weide indicated that he personally regretted the decision to close. The city farm was a nice addition to the location and received a lot of appreciation from visitors to the park.
According to Van der Weide, there have been many discussions in the past year. Various solutions were put on the table: rent reduction, cooperation with schools and even financial contributions. “We have really reached out,” said the councilor. On the other hand, the foundation board had to think about their approach. For example, by placing fewer animals.
Van der Weide: “All variants have been reviewed. There has been a lot of discussion and a lot of time has been invested. In the end, the foundation did not submit a new plan.” Ultimately, Akka’s City Farm decided to stop altogether. “It’s a shame,” said Van der Weide.
In any case, the municipality does not plan to demolish the building. But it remains difficult to find a party, according to Van der Weide. The municipality will therefore consider the future of the building.
Akka’s City Farm is the second party that took on the running of the city farm and ultimately failed. This is not the first time that the farm in Rensenpark has run into financial problems. In 2017, the then manager, healthcare group De Hooimijt, also sounded the alarm to the municipality. Veterinary costs and personnel costs in particular were a major expense at the time.