Municipal interests Aa en Hunze do not think it is a good idea to sacrifice a football field of VV Gieten for the construction of a new culture and education center. The party would prefer to demolish the outdated De Wendeling sports hall to make way for the center, but this goes against the wishes of coalition partners PvdA and VVD.
It is a rare break in the usually unanimous coalition of Aa and Hunze. Most other parties are also not immediately eager to choose a new location. But councilor Henk Heijerman (GBAH) is adamant: they are making a crucial mistake here.
Cultural associations from Gieten have been wanting a shared accommodation for years with enough space to practice and for performances or concerts. The center had to be located on the grounds of the Dr. Nassau College, but that location was eliminated because the school believes that many more students will come in the future than previously expected.
The mayor and aldermen (B&W) want the new home for both cultural clubs and the Dr. Nassaucollege now building on De Goorns sports park. After removing one football field, there is enough space for both the school and the associations and more parking spaces.
In addition, responsible councilor Ivo Berghuis (GBAH) sees opportunities for collaboration with the various sports clubs. “We think it is the best location,” says Berghuis. Remarkably, it is precisely his own party that is now resisting.
Municipal interests fear that removing a football field will hinder the growth of VV Gieten. “The club’s ambition is clear: they want to grow. We have to say: we won’t touch that football field,” says councilor Heijerman.
In a statement, the football club writes that it is unpleasantly surprised by the plans to delete one of their fields. According to the club, the loss of the field has major consequences, in particular less space for planning training and matches. The club would therefore prefer to keep the field.
If the municipal council decides to build at De Goorns, the football club wants to be compensated with extra lighting and a new artificial grass field. An excellent proposal, according to PvdA and VVD. “We can find solutions for the football club. As far as we are concerned, we are now going to speed up at the De Goorns location,” says PvdA member Frits Klein Langenhorst.
Heijermans from Gemeentebelangen does not want to know anything about it and believes that the club does not agree with the municipality’s plan at all. This is met with resistance from Henriëtte Rossingh of the VVD. “We heard the chairman (of VV Gieten ed.): he was not against the De Goorns location. He himself suggested the solutions of more light and an artificial grass field,” she says to her coalition partner.
Nevertheless, Gemeentebelangen sees the location of the De Wendeling sports hall on the Boddeveld as an ideal location for a center for all associations in the village. Preferably following the example of MFA De Boerhoorn in Rolde, where the library could also be located.
The more than 50-year-old gymnasium had previously been considered as a location for a cultural stage. This met with resistance from the neighborhood. “You will encounter this at every location you choose,” Heijerman counters criticism from Klein Langenhorst, who confronts him with previous objections.
Among the opposition parties, Gemeentebelangen only finds some support from the CDA for the time being. Just not enough for a majority. The municipal council will make a final decision on the location for the culture and education center on January 7.