The Esdal College in Borger is struggling with a lack of space. Forecasts made five years ago appear to be incorrect.
“We now have just over two hundred students, more than we expected five years ago,” says director Matthias Kooistra. “These predictions determine how many square meters we can build. There was a decline, not growth. But that shrinkage in Borger never came.”
This is striking because the new school building has only been there for a year. Still, the school has to think about expanding. “We are going to submit an application to the municipality,” says Kooistra. Temporary units, such as those at the old Esdal College, do not seem to be the solution. “We want a structural approach and hope that this will work out quickly.”
There is also a lack of space in the multifunctional building Hunzehuys in Borger, which houses a primary school, library and village hall. Councilor Bernard Jansen explains that the problem initially seemed smaller. “In April 2023 we thought that we could create enough space with a more efficient design. But by the end of the year we saw that the shortage is much greater.”
According to Jansen, the municipality expects a shortage of 750 square meters in 2031, which is five classrooms. To prevent this, two additional classrooms are being built on top of the Hunzehuys.
The decision was made due to the small number of students and the lack of growth prospects. Parents and stakeholders have been closely involved in the process. Rietkerk: “Thanks to their input, we looked together for the best possible solution.”
Most students go to CKC De Klister in Nieuw-Buinen, although parents can also opt for OBS 75, which is closer. There is also good news for the team of teachers: “We will talk to everyone individually, but there is room within CKC Drenthe.”
The closure of School 59 does not mean the end of the planned new construction in Buinerveen. Alderman Jansen announces that the new construction plans for a child center for OBS 75 will go ahead. “We are building there for about eighty students and take growth into account,” says Jansen.