Leaks caused a delay of more than a year, but the repair work on the former Biochron in Emmen will start in mid-January. The municipality has determined what needs to be done in the run-up to a permanent recovery.
The Center for Visual Arts (CBK) was supposed to move into the former zoo attraction last spring. But due to moisture problems, the renovations of the Biochron were postponed for months.
The moisture was discovered in the natural stone walls of the characteristic cubes. That is so serious that it needs to be repaired. The moisture problems were exacerbated by the heavy rainfall that fell during the renovation last year.
The solution to the leaks is, not surprisingly, to start drying. In a letter, the municipality indicates that the repair work will start from mid-January. The natural stone facade is then first removed, after which the cubes are ‘packed’ with scaffolding that is closed.
From that moment on, the structure must be dewatered for three months before permanent repairs can begin. The municipality and contractor VolkerWessels are working on the development of that plan.
The municipality cannot yet make a statement about the costs of the repair work, this will be announced in the coming months. It must also be clear who should bear these costs, the municipality or the contractor.