Swimming clubs in Assen have knocked on the door of the municipality for financial help. Because De Bonte Wever has implemented a rent increase for the use of the swimming pools, the sports clubs are no longer able to cough up the costs.
It fell rough on the roof of the Asser swimming clubs SC Bartje and Aqua ’68 when they received a letter from the accommodation in April this year. The rent would be increased by 32% from 1 July. A big problem according to the associations, because according to the swimming clubs the survival of swimming in Assen is in danger.
“If nothing happens, we will be financially exhausted by mid-2023 and our 450 members will no longer be able to swim,” says Frans Thomas, chairman of Aqua ’68. “We’ll keep it going for a while and the next invoice won’t cause any problems immediately. But this shouldn’t take long.”
A conversation with the board of De Bonte Wever yielded nothing, according to the Aqua chairman. “We understand that swimming pools suffer from extremely high energy costs, but this is not an option for us.”
One scenario is that the members pay for the high costs. “But that comes with a disproportionate increase in membership fees. We cannot explain that to our members and will undoubtedly lead to extreme member loss and an even bigger problem,” said Thomas.
The clubs therefore call on the municipality of Assen to take measures. “We ask you to think along about a good and structural solution, so that swimming in Assen continues to exist at a high level and across the board,” says a letter to the city council.
Last Friday, the chairman already spoke with sports alderman Albert Smit. “The message was that we have to wait and see whether the government will also come up with measures. Then we will look for a solution,” Thomas concludes in good spirits.