RSG Wolfbos in Hoogeveen wants to build a new school for more than 33 million euros, but last year the municipality rejected the financial justification. There is now an amended construction plan, which, according to the school, does meet all the conditions.
It was a dampener for the Hoogeveen school community last September, when it became clear that the municipality could not yet give the green light for the desired new construction.
There was no agreement about the amount of the municipal contribution and the depreciation period of the building. As a result, no investment amounts are yet included in the new municipal budget.
Back to drawing board
The management of RSG Wolfsbos had to go back to the drawing board. Four months later, the school makes a new attempt that, according to the management, fits within the framework set by the municipality. Whether that is the case remains to be seen.
The municipality must assess the amended construction plan in the coming months. Are the plans (financially) feasible? Hoogeveen invests in sports facilities, infrastructure and possible demolition costs of the old school. The mayor and aldermen examine which expenses are necessary.
Dries Koster, director of Wolfsbos, is optimistic: “We have an excellent and responsible plan to realize our new building. This is good for all children in the Hoogeveen region, our staff and also for the municipality.”
‘Still steps to take’
According to councilor Mark Tuit, future-proof educational housing is important for all children in the Hoogeveen region. “But there are still a few steps to take before we can give the final green light,” he says.
For example, does the plan fit within the financial agreements with secondary education school boards? Is it financially solid and structurally covered within the budget of RSG Wolfsbos?
Municipal guarantee
If the plans are assessed positively, the council will submit a proposal to the municipal council. It will not make a decision on providing a municipal guarantee for the financing of 33.1 million euros until June of this year at the earliest. This shifts the initial planning.
The decision is partly dependent on the municipal investments necessary for the implementation of the plan, including infrastructure, sports facilities, and the demolition of school buildings that fall back to the municipality.
Necessary
The construction of the school is part of an area development. The parties agree on the need for new construction. The buildings of RSG Wolfsbos are often about fifty years old, require major maintenance and suffer from relatively high energy costs.
The new school must rise on a green strip of the same campus where the Groene Driehoek and Harm Smeenge locations are now located. The various locations will be under one roof.
Classes can continue as usual during construction, which is planned for the spring of 2024. Only when the new construction is completed will the building be moved and the old buildings demolished. The De Meander practice location, which was built in 2008, will remain standing. The plan is for the new school to be completed by the end of 2025.
RSG Wolfsbos in Hoogeveen offers VMBO, MAVO, HAVO, VWO, practical education and ISK (education for international students).