The 13 meter high lookout tower on the Aekingerzand no longer exists. A crane truck threw the structure in the Drents-Friese Wold National Park this morning within a few seconds. Leaving the watchtower longer was no longer possible, says forester Lysander van Oossanen of Staatsbosbeheer.
The results of a safety inspection gave the last push about two weeks ago. It emerged that it is no longer responsible to let people climb the watchtower. “Especially if a large group would go up,” says Van Oossanen. “Then you don’t know what could happen. Safety was at stake.”
The stairs with which viewers could climb the tower was removed. It was decided by Staatsbosbeheer to demolish the structure, which has served for about thirty years on the Aekingerzand, as soon as possible. That happened this morning, just before the start of the breeding season.
With the wood in pieces on the floor it turned out again how fragile things were. Van Oossanen was shocked. “The uprights in particular, the foundation, were completely rotten. The balustrade fell off very easily. And steel brackets looked rusted.”
Of course, the forester says, it had always been an option to redecorate the tower. But that would cost a lot of money while Staatsbosbeheer has the desire to place a new tower in a different location. This must be built closer to the parking lot. Breeding birds at the old location also get more rest. “So you are not going to invest in a tower that is in the wrong place.”
If it is up to Van Oossanen, the new tower will be there next fall. Because the importance of the ‘eye catcher’ is high for the area, he thinks. Numerous people come for the view over the drifting sand with the many heaths.
Staatsbosbeheer itself cannot pull the wallet for a new structure. Money is hoped for money from the provinces of Drenthe, Friesland and the municipalities of Westerveld and Oostellingwerf. A crowdfunding has also started. “Everyone thinks it is a shame that the tower is no longer there. The question now is to what extent a new one is being contributed. It is important that the landscape becomes an experience again, so that we can make new memories.”
In the video below, view how the watchtower on the Aekingerzand was demolished within a few seconds: