De Veenvaart will once again open the locks wide for recreationalists. Last fall, a fire broke out that almost destroyed the lock building near the Koppelsluis. By placing an emergency building temporarily, the Rondje Drenthe can simply be made again. In the meantime, a brand new lock building is being built.
He shouldn’t have it from his appearance. The square, white ‘loft’ that is placed at the Koppelsluis is not exactly a feast for the eyes. But at least the lockkeepers have a new accommodation from which they can operate the lock again from April. Because then the sailing season starts again. The new service lessonor will be installed in this unit next week, after which the operation does it again.
The burned -down building has since been completely demolished. The basement has been evacuated, while burnt building materials at the lock and the surrounding area have been removed. The entire location was further cleaned again, according to a spokesperson for the province. “The power supply and water supply have been restored in the basement, so that the lock can go back into operation.” The rebuilding of the lock building takes place during the upcoming sailing season.
The rebuild will not hinder the operation of the lock, according to the spokesperson. “We expect the recovery to take up all year round.” As soon as there is a final design, the province will share that. No statements will be made about the costs for the time being.
Chairman Stoffer Appeldorn of the Veenvaart Cooperative is happy with the news. “The building is getting slightly smaller than the predecessor, I believe. Good that sailing can continue.” Despite the good news, Appeldorn expects a damper this year. Due to the construction of a bicycle bridge, the Haren-Ruitenbroekkanaal will be closed until August, so that the connection with the German Ems is out.
Via De Veenvaart sailing to and from Germany there is not in the summer. “So many fewer boats,” Appeldorn explains the consequences. It saves 6,000 euros on the annually expected 2,000 boats, he estimates. “And that is having to do. No, we are not so happy with that.”