The cement floor of the gym in ‘Het Spectrum’ has only just been laid, but it has been crushing for several months. Ramon Riedijk of badminton club Meershuttle and Kirsten van Poeteren of Basketball Association Hoofddorp are concerned about the new season. The first training sessions have already been canceled and if nothing happens, the question is whether competition can be played.
The Spectrum was renovated a few years ago and the brand new gym was festively opened in 2019. Even after three years, dangerous spots have already formed on the floor. “It started with a bulge a few months ago, but there were more and more,” says Ramon Riedijk of the badminton club. “It’s like walking on balloons”, he gives as an example.
New season in danger
According to the municipality, the consequences of the crushing are still manageable, but the associations think differently. “Young people still train on these fields, but a senior team can no longer play basketball on these fields,” explains Kirsten van Poeteren. “The advantage is that the season is coming to an end, otherwise we would not have been able to play,” she continues.
And if there is play, it is not without risks: “Badminton is already an injury prone sport, but there are people who have been injured in recent months and although we cannot link that, we have our suspicions,” says Riedijk. .
Entire floor tackled
“According to Grond- en Vastgoedzaken, serious account must be taken of the fact that the crushing of the underlayer is a progressive process. This could mean that the entire floor has to be tackled,” writes the municipality in a press release.
The gymnasium was completed in 2019 after almost a year of delay, but after three years the cement floor is slowly but surely deteriorating. According to the municipality, the problem lies in the construction of the floor. A solution is currently being sought.
Who will pull the wallet?
It is uncertain who should pay for the problems. The municipality writes that there are ‘legal aspects’ at play in the background. According to them, that battle, over who is liable and who has to pay, will last a long time.
Construction group Horsman & Co renovated ‘Het Spectrum’ at the time. René Vos, general manager, says he is aware of the crushing. “We have been in the gym with all parties involved and have looked at what is going on,” says Vos. He says that he certainly has responsibility for the new gym, but who should take care of this specific case, according to him, is a bit in the middle.
“It is a pity for the athletes and the municipality anyway, this is not what we want,” Vos concludes.