In Nieuw-Schoonebeek, today officially started with the long-awaited center renewal. After years of talking, planning and postponing, there was really a kick in the ground. The village gets more greenery, new paving, traffic -inhibiting measures and as an eye -catcher there is the return of a jacknag in the village center.
A loud applause sounds at the unveiling of the building board. For many villagers, the start feels like a relief. “I taste many people that they are happy that it really starts now,” says Arjan Scherpen of Dorpsbelangen. “This freshening has been talking since 2018. Today, the time has finally come.”
The Europaweg, better known as the straight road through the village, has been a source of annoyance for years. Too many motorists use their way as a race track to Germany. “There is terribly fast driving,” emphasizes alderman Albert-Jan Jakobs (Wakker Emmen). “The police regularly write out hefty fines. That really has to change,” Scherpen continues
That is why the Europaweg gets a large metamorphosis with road narrows, bends and thresholds. This way, traffic is forced to drive calmly. The work will start with the replacement of the sewer and the drainage system.
The biggest eye -catcher will undoubtedly be the Jaknikker who returns to the center, near Dorpshuis de Dorpshoeve. “Those jackets used to be in and around New Schoonebeek,” says Scherpen. “They have disappeared, but the oil extraction has been so decisive for our village. With the return of a jacknag we bring that piece of history back.”
The machine has since been refurbished and will soon be placed in the recognizable NAM-green color. “We don’t know when it is placed. We are working on the permit process, which is available for inspection at the municipality.”
The work entails the necessary nuisance. Nieuw-Schoonebeek is an elongated village and a detour quickly means ten to twelve kilometers extra. “That will be a swallow for many people,” Scherpen acknowledges. “But in the end the village only gets more beautiful and safer.”
The project continues until July 2026, with one hard appointment. “I am honored: make sure that the parade can continue during the Volksfeest,” says Jakobs with a smile. “I don’t dare say whether everything is ready. But one thing is certain: the parade during the Volksfeest in July continues.”
With an investment of 3.5 million euros, Nieuw-Schoonebeek will receive a center in the coming years that is greener, safer and future-proof. Primary school facilities are being improved, there will be a Kiss-and-Ridezone, and in the future also a new school and housing.
“It’s a big job,” Scherpen concludes. “But soon we have a center that we as a village can be even more proud of.”