The construction of the school in the Nieuwveense Landen new housing estate in Meppel is more than 7 million euros more expensive than expected. Instead of the estimated 5.3 million euros, it is now about 12.7 million euros. At the same time, the enthusiasm for the school is so great that it may not be limited to just one school.
“It’s really just the construction costs,” alderman Jeannet Bos explains the increase in costs. Where a few years ago it was about 2,200 euros per square meter, the costs have now risen to about 4,200 euros per square meter. She has no fear that the costs will rise even further. “Construction will start soon.”
About six years ago there was still talk of no school being built in the neighbourhood. That soon changed in the arrival of a temporary school and eventually changed in the arrival of a permanent school.
But will it stop there? It could also just be two. The enthusiasm for the school appears to be more than expected. The school, which will soon be built, offers space for 500 students, including childcare. This is also due to housing construction. It is going faster than expected, which leads to a significant increase in the number of students.
“The question is whether the space for 500 students is enough,” says Jeroen Koster, future director of the school on behalf of Kindpunt. Two organizations will offer education in the school building. Promes provides public education and KindPunt does that for Christian education.