The Abbekerk village hall issue has been dusted off again. A feasibility study must show whether the renovation still fits within the ‘reserved’ budget of 4.7 million euros. The board of ‘De Nieuwe Haven’ is given permission for this after the politicians in Medemblik submitted a motion last night to set this in motion. “The flag can’t go out yet.”
The local group GemeenteBelangen (GB) gratefully took up the gauntlet last night, just before the summer recess. She submitted a motion together with the CDA. According to them, the village would benefit from a meeting place, now facilities are slowly disappearing. “Residents have been living in uncertainty for too long. We have a board that is ready to take a further step in realizing the renovation,” said council member Luiten Plekker. It received support from the city council.
Skeptical
René Veerman, chairman of village hall ‘De Nieuwe Haven’ in Abbekerk, reacts positively to the news. “We are grateful for their unbridled efforts. Without them we would have retreated long ago. We are happy that we can continue.” Still, he keeps a small blow to the arm. “These are small steps, given the history I remain skeptical. We could have gone much further if the municipality had sufficient capacity.”
It is a new chapter in an already long-running issue. The question has long been what to do with the village hall. Renovation seemed like an option, but that was canceled in September 2021. Reason: a lack of money. After a lobby of various political parties there was still support for renovation.
That renovation should cost 4.7 million euros. Money still on the shelf. “The plan is being looked at again by a self-proposed external agency. They check whether it still fits within the budget. We have already cut back a lot in the past. Can we still do the same as we thought then? It must be attractive and continue to meet the requirements of general practice, childcare and catering.”
Future doctor
And that’s what he means the succession of general practitioner Kees Mak. He is in the village hall with his general practice and will retire in 2024. He soon found two young general practitioners who were interested in the practice in Abbekerk. However, with one condition: a modernized building that fits in with this time. Veerman: “Despite the delay, they have indicated that they still want to continue this.”