The proposed renovation of the Borger-Odoorn town hall in Exloo is turning out to be more expensive than expected. Councilor Jeroen Hartsuiker announces that the first cost estimate shows that the renovation will be higher than the budget set by the council.
Earlier this year, Borger-Odoorn announced that it wanted to start a major renovation of the town hall and the council chamber next year. This step is necessary because the current accommodation no longer meets modern standards. The building is an energy guzzler, workplaces are too cramped and the climate control is substandard.
The plan is to create new workplaces, make the building more sustainable and build a brand new council chamber at the rear of the central hall. The renovated complex should be ready by 2025. The total costs were estimated in May at between 4 and 6.5 million euros.
According to Hartsuiker, that amount is a lot higher, as initial cost estimates show. Zuckerman therefore goes back to the drawing board. Various scenarios are being developed that will later be submitted to the council.
Councilor Hartsuiker does not want to mention any amounts, he said when asked. Nor whether it concerns millions or not. “I’m not going to mention that.”
According to Hartsuiker, the cause lies in costs that later turned out to be higher. The installation costs in particular are higher than expected, according to the councilor.
According to him, the ambition is still to start the renovation in May 2024. It is not yet known when the council members will be presented with the new scenarios. That may be next year, he reports.