She is completely ready and looking forward to the first summer season in Assen. But it is still exciting for catering entrepreneur Angela Verbaarschot (33). Because will the construction workers really get the new catering pavilion at the Baggelhuizerplas ready before the end of April? “The contractor has just assured me that they will make it. But when you look at it like that, it doesn’t really seem like it,” she laughs.
The beach pavilion at the Asser recreation area should have been there a year ago. But the delivery of building materials was significantly delayed, as a result of which the entire construction operation by Zwolle-based Evertsen Bouw was postponed.
But this summer season will be the baptism of fire for Beach Club Zand-Erover, as the pavilion will be called. There is room for 250 guests, with 75 seats inside. The rest can be enjoyed on the terrace. Councilor Martin Rasker (VVD) of Recreation and Tourism beams with pride. “We have been doing it here with a temporary pavilion since 2009, and after the fire a few years ago we actually had nothing left, except a mobile unit. We have never had such a beautiful pavilion as what is now being built.”
According to Rasker, with the arrival of the beach pavilion, right next to the swimming lake, ‘an important pearl of Assen is being polished up’. “This is a beautiful nature reserve that is popular with many recreationalists. In addition to the swimmers, there are always runners, walkers and mountain bikers active in the summer. And then there is also beach volleyball. If you add a nice pavilion as a facility , then that will certainly attract more people. You will soon be able to sit on a terrace here and have a snack and a drink.”
Because of the ‘added value of a good catering facility’, three years ago the municipality of Assen started looking for an entrepreneur who saw potential in a catering pavilion on the beach of the Baggelhuizerplas, with a concession for a period of 25 years. The municipality ultimately chose the plan of Evertsen Bouw from Zwolle. This will create an energy-neutral pavilion in Assen, which can also be dismantled and relocated.
For the operation, the builder joined forces with a catering company from Emmeloord, and operator Angela Verbaarschot comes from that corner. Because her first footprints were in Grand Café Emmeloord. Assen will follow as a new job. In addition to the day catering, there will also be public toilet facilities in the pavilion. And for bathers there is a special takeaway counter open in the summer for ‘the quick snack’.
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