The municipality writes in the council proposal that additional research shows that no fewer than six additional theory classrooms need to be created in the Culture House at Castle 3. According to the calculations, De Nieuwe Veste now needs 924 square meters of space. In addition to the teaching space, it also consists of a cloakroom, canteen, toilet area per floor and flexi-places for staff. There should be a bicycle and scooter shed outside the Culture House. The renovation of the building will then cost more than 700,000 euros.
In the case of art education in the Cultuurhuis, only a small part can be used for other parties. Something like a cultural or economic breeding ground or workplaces for civil servants is then not or less possible.
The council is surprised that the municipality is going back on an earlier council decision. Jerry Stoker of PAC compares the school to a stamping child who doesn’t get his way. Councilor Huizing refutes that assumption: The financial substantiation was fragmented in the previous council proposal in January. Research now shows that more than 500 square meters of educational space is needed at Castle 3. It has nothing to do with a stamping child.”
“The building is designed for art and cultural education, but not for classroom art and cultural education that the school wants to use it for,” the councilor continues. “Is it suitable for private education? Yes. Is it suitable for classroom education? No.”
Henk Mulder (BBC2014) notes that the amounts of the additional costs outlined are based on a different price level. The cost of an additional 1.7 million euros in art and culture education space in the new building is still according to the 2021 market, while the costs of more than 700,000 euros have been calculated according to current construction cost prices.
Jerry Stoker (PAC) and Irma Talens (VVD) agree with Mulder in surprise: “It’s like comparing apples and oranges.”
Alderman Huizing indicates that the most current price level for the entire renovation of new construction will be known in the autumn. This includes any additional construction costs for art and culture education space.
The council members then wonder out loud whether this is the right time to decide on such an expenditure. Councilor Huizing: “It is not unwillingness on our part not to develop two complete scenarios, but developing this is not in proportion to the amount that will be requested.”
Michel Blanken of the PvdA, following CDA councilor Sandra Katerberg, calls on his fellow councilors to take a look at the Culture House, to see that real change is needed for good education.
Talens: “We feel blackmailed with this proposal. There will not be an incubator if we do not agree to this, it seems. The municipality does not have to pay for an error of judgment on the part of De Nieuwe Veste,” she refers to the required 924 square meters meters, instead of 500. “What signal does the municipality want to send? Just keep pushing and you will get what you want?”
Stoker agrees with Talens’ words. “I notice that I am getting irritated because we are once again faced with a council proposal on which we have already decided. As far as we are concerned, we are against it.”
The topic will be on the agenda of the city council meeting in two weeks. The council will then decide on the proposal again.