Europarcs wants to continue with the Enkhuizerzand recreation area: “2025 or 2026 still feasible”

A campsite, a refurbished public area with an elongated beach and a holiday park: that is the view. But the development is not without a struggle. The plan had to resistance of the Province already be adjusted. And last year the Council of State ruled after objections from the IJsselmeer Association that improvements still need to be made.

Recovery plan postponed

These have now been incorporated into a recovery plan. A piece of swamp, a public footpath with greenery and a maximum of 25 camper pitches on the already completed campsite. The plan was put on the city council’s agenda for Tuesday. But because adjustments to the piece still have to be made, the decision was postponed at the last minute.

Patience is a virtue in this project. Still, director Andries Bruil of Europarcs refuses to give in. “Any delay causes financial damage, of course. But we deliberately chose this location. We believe in Enkhuizen as an environment for our product. That we make people happy with it who come to recreate. That we earn a good living with it, but also has a positive effect on the economy of Enkhuizen.”

Commotion

However, Bruil cannot deny that there are regular hassles surrounding the development of the area. Only when there were still plans to build part of the holiday park in the IJsselmeer. But also the question of the now deceased councilor Chris Segerius why the area that must be worth millions was sold for only 335,000 euros. And documents about it stay secret.

Below is the plan with the holiday park, partly in the IJsselmeer, which was rejected by the Province.

‘This was not our choice, it was a political choice’

The director understands the sensitivity and praises the involvement of the Enkhuizers. “It is also a challenge and instructive for us. What I do frown at is that people forget the reason. At the time, this was a choice of politicians to do it this way. They were looking for someone who would wants to build the area and maintain it for ten years. In exchange, there was a campsite and a holiday park. And we were granted that, but it was not our choice to do it this way.”

What now?

But once the recovery plan has been adopted by the council, the project developer hopes to get into calmer waters and get to work. Because in the meantime little could be done. Actually, the public area, with a coastal arch with an elongated beach, should already have been finished. However, this has been delayed due to the case before the Council of State.

What is the current state of development of the public space? “That depends on the coastal arc that still has to come. With a camping site and the sailing school on it,” explains Bruil.

According to him, the arch is essential for the development of the rest of the public area. “Because otherwise everything you build will be washed away during high tide or storm. It is the backbone of the area.”

Text continues below the impression of the public area.

2023

The application for a permit from Rijkswaterstaat is being prepared. “It’s technically complex,” explains specialist Europarcs lawyer Mark Gideonse. “If you do something like that in the water, it’s just part of it,” adds Europarcs director Andries Bruil.

The hope is that the public area can be started next year. “It is a Natura 2000 area. So in winter you are not allowed to do anything because of the storm season,” says Gideonse. “So if the permit is in place, we could start in April 2023 at the earliest.”

Bruil also hopes that the construction of the area will lead to more confidence in the project. “The sooner it is made beautiful, the better it is for the Enkhuizers and for us too. First the coastal arch has to be constructed, then the rest. That doesn’t have to be a multi-year plan, but will take nine months to a year before the public area is ready. is.”

Text continues below the photo.

Future swimming pool

The agreements made earlier between the municipality of Enkhuizen and Europarcs also include the option of the project developer taking over from the municipality the operation or even the entire swimming pool that is already in the area.

Money has been needed for years. The municipality is responsible for all budget overruns. And CDA councilor Jan van der Werf was recently concerned about rising energy costs and its consequences.

It is not yet clear whether Europarcs will take over the swimming pool or its operation. “We’ve had exploratory talks about that before, but I can’t say anything about that now. We talk about things in the contract several times a year. But it’s not a hard yes and not a no at the moment.”

Text continues below the photo.

When will the holiday park come?

This remains the bungalow park with about 160 holiday homes. During the opening of the campsite in 2020, Europarcs director Andries Bruil hoped that the entire area of ​​the Enkhuizerzand would be completely ready in 2025 or 2026. Years that, despite the delay, are still standing as far as he is concerned. “Suppose things go well from now on, then it may still be feasible. In any case, we want to start with the holiday park as soon as possible.”

And despite the fact that the project does not go without a hitch, Bruil’s enthusiasm does not suffer. “If you look at where we as Europarcs want to be, this location is in the top 5, maybe top 3. The place is fantastic, the city too. It is time that we all have faith that we have a touristic create a product that has a positive effect on holidaymakers, the municipality and Europarcs,” he concludes.

The aim is to have the recovery plan on the agenda of the city council in December.