Mayor Rikus Jager of Westerveld, which includes the Johannes Post barracks in Havelte, saw that it was Assen’s turn. Precisely with a view to sustainability, the newer buildings of ‘his’ barracks have an advantage. “When the discussion earlier also focused on the closure of the barracks in Assen, the condition of the buildings was decisive. This has put Havelte in the excellent position where it is now: namely a large barracks with a lot of potential. “
That is why the options for expansion are being discussed in Havelte with the possible end of the barracks in Assen. Of both manpower and material. “The barracks in Assen have no options for expansion. Havelte does. I think that together with our neighboring municipality of Steenwijkerland, we can provide excellent reception for people.”
Expansion in Havelte?
“We need to look at it more broadly,” says Mayor Jager. “The most important thing for me and for the rest of the municipality of Westerveld is that we will talk about preserving employment for the whole of the Northern Netherlands.”
Remarkably enough, Jager does not speak out loud in favor of preserving the barracks in Assen. According to him, changes are inevitable. “The way in which the army is deployed today is different than, for example, in the previous period of the cold war. Plus, people are of course also busy with the transition to sustainability.”
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