Koen Witte, owner of the Beach Club Texel beach pavilion that burned down on Friday, is flooded with help from friends and acquaintances. A bridal couple who got married in his pavilion has even started a fundraiser. White hopes to build a new pavilion as soon as possible. “It’s been a turbulent time,” he says. “But that’s an understatement.”
His pavilion went up in flames on the night of December 12 to 13. The fire brigade could do virtually nothing and the entire wooden pavilion was reduced to ashes. It is not clear how the fire could have started. Police had earlier cordoned off the pavilion for forensic investigation. The fences will be removed this week so that the owner can start cleaning up.
The beach operator does not yet fully realize what has happened. “Especially when I’m at home with my family in Alkmaar,” he says. “Then you forget the situation for a moment. But when you are back on Texel and you find the situation as it is now, your stomach turns again. It is unbelievable what happened.”
The Texel also has a beach pavilion in Wijk aan Zee, but feels less emotionally connected to it. “I bought that pavilion. But I built Beach Club Texel myself. I installed the bar, the furnishings, literally everything with my team. This was our own pavilion, which will never come back.”
In times of Corona, Koen Witte has renovated the pavilion considerably. “We added a conservatory so that we could also organize groups and parties. It is a life’s work. I now have the feeling that it has been taken from me.”
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The Texel is offered a lot of help from other pavilion owners on the island. “They immediately asked if they could help me. I was also offered a raise. That is extremely valuable.” The focus now is on cleaning up the mess. “We first have to process what has happened. But I will certainly need this help in the future so that I can get back to work quickly with my team. It has now been a few days, so I have not yet come up with a new pavilion in progress. We must first ensure that all investigations are completed so that we can continue.”
Witte has many weddings planned in the spring. These cannot continue now. “My brother and his partner also wanted to get married on the beach. But you can’t do anything yet as long as the insurance doesn’t pay out. We have everything insured and luckily it’s good too.”
A couple who got married in the pavilion last year have started fundraising. “The ladies came to us because they had a beautiful wedding at our beach club. They love coming here and are fans of Texel. It is very dear to their hearts, which is why they wanted to give something back. They want that we can receive bridal couples and other guests again as soon as possible, so that they are now raising money. These people are not from my close circle. I think it is unique that something like this is being set up.
The investigation has now been completed, so the pavilion can be released again soon. “They have found nothing, and no further investigation is being done. We can now order the demolition company to clear away the rubble. And we can start rebuilding.”