Hoogeveen airport will have a new control tower. Chairman Erwin Slomp hopes that construction can start this year.
The current control tower is being removed. The building has been there since Prince Bernhard opened the complex at the airport in 1984. “It is now due for replacement,” says Slomp. “It is no longer of this time.”
From the building, volunteers coordinate the rising and landing planes every day. In recent years, according to Slomp, “we are going for renovation or new construction? Legally you could even do without a tower.” In the end, a new accommodation for the local aircraft management was chosen.
With a new tower, the Hoogeveen skyline does not change. “There will be a sober tower, similar to as it is now. Now it is still on the roof of the restaurant, which gave problems, leakage, for example. The new one will be wrong.”
In recent years, the airport has been saved, according to the chairman, around 160,000 to 170,000 euros are needed. The province of Drenthe crossed the bridge this week with an amount of 15,000 euros.
Slomp wants to start construction of the new tower this year, but keeps a blow to the arm. “We are dependent on further financing and on the permit of the municipality.”