In the sports hall of the Zwanenburg village hall, the sound of dripping water on umbrellas resonates, while basketball players wrapped in ponchos play a determined game. This unusual action serves as a statement against the continuous leaks that have been plaguing the sports hall for two and a half years. The sports clubs are fed up with it and want the municipality to take action.
There is now an endless row of gutters on the roof of the sports hall to ‘solve’ the leaks, but a few days after each repair, drops keep falling down in other places.
“Every time the municipality says that it will be resolved,” says Romario van ‘t Land of the Hot Pepper Heat basketball club. “But no, it’s only going to get worse.”
There is also no other sports hall where the basketball players can go: all sports halls – from Haarlemmermeer to Amsterdam – are full. “We now have two hundred people who cannot play sports. I have to continuously disappoint them. Our basketball season is literally in the water because of the municipality.”
The damage the basketball club has suffered as a result now runs into thousands of euros. “Trainings and competitions are canceled time and time again, members resign, coaches must continue to be paid,” says Romario. “I don’t know who’s going to pay the bill, but not me.”
Umbrellas
To show that things cannot continue like this, the athletes have gathered in the leaking sports hall to play a game of basketball. They are wearing a poncho over their sportswear and they have an umbrella in their hand. Where water drips down from the ceiling, they have placed pylons and buckets.
The athletes who use the hall, hundreds of people in total, are also fed up. The children participating in the protest are no exception. “It’s really annoying that you just can’t train. I just want to enjoy sports with my teammates,” says handball player Indy. Basketball player Jizhmahaël sees his season evaporate: “I haven’t been able to play for two games now, nor has the entire club. That’s really strange, isn’t it?”
Solution uncertain
The operator of the sports hall, the Zwanenburg-Halfweg Foundation, is also at a loss, says chairman Wim Hut: “It has been a hassle for two years, but in recent months it has really escalated in terms of nuisance. We then switch on the municipality, and they are really doing what they can, but the frustration among the sports clubs is more than justified. The contractor will now work on a new solution, which we fervently hope will solve it. But we don’t know for sure. “
The municipality is the owner of the gymnasium and therefore the one that must fund and organize its maintenance. A Christian Union councilor was present at the protest, who said he would draw attention to the issue at this Thursday’s council meeting.
According to the basketball players, the solution is clear: the roof must be removed and a new roof must be installed. “Then we at least have perspective,” says Romario, knowing that sports will not be possible for a while. “Anything better than this.”