The end of the wave of renewal that the Parc Sandur recreation park is currently undergoing is not yet in sight. The permit application for almost 100 more holiday homes has been submitted. The first shovel must be broken in November for the construction of four indoor padel courts. Research is also being conducted into the arrival of an indoor playground of between 200 and 300 square meters and the renovation of the swimming pool.
It sounds strange, but the holiday park has never actually been ‘finished’. Around the turn of the century, the construction of more than 300 holiday homes began, which were built on islands. Around 2004, this development suffered a blow due to the economic crisis, leaving five islands undeveloped.
Almost 20 years later, it looks like the last undeveloped part of the park will finally be transformed into a holiday paradise, according to park director Jeroen van den Berg.
“Before the summer we submitted an application for the construction of another 92 holiday bungalows on the undeveloped plots.” As soon as the application is approved, construction can begin. Van den Berg cannot yet indicate when construction will start. First the procedure is awaited.
But the completion of the park is not the only rabbit in Parc Sandur’s hat. The recreation park wants to start the construction of four padel courts in the current sports hall in the recreation building in November. Parc Sandur thus responds to the ever-expanding popularity of this sport, which is a cross between squash and tennis. A total of four runways will be constructed. Initially, the park wanted to realize the courses outdoors.
“But we backed away from this after consultation with local residents (Parc Sandur is also the name of the adjacent residential area of the same name, ed.). Residents feared noise pollution, so the decision was made to go indoors. According to Van den Berg, a win-win.” win situation: the noise literally remains within limits and the range of the indoor variant of this sport is still quite limited in this region.
The park will also investigate the feasibility of constructing a covered playground of 200 to 300 square meters ‘a la Ballorig’. Van den Berg: “We would also like to offer something extra for the littlest visitors.”
The indoor swimming paradise is also being examined with a critical eye. “The swimming pool is now almost 25 years old. We have to ensure that it is up to date stays. No, that does not necessarily mean a larger pool, but you have to continue to innovate and improve. We are also investigating that.”
Substantial investments have been made in the park over the past two years. All houses are equipped with a new kitchen and sanitary facilities. One third of the bungalows has a sauna and jacuzzi.
In the long term it is also the intention to tackle all interiors. The recreation building was also thoroughly overhauled. “Many new catering facilities have been added, including a new beach house restaurant. A new outdoor terrace on the water, a conservatory and two new outdoor play locations were also added.”
The renewal process received an enormous boost after the new ownership situation. Until three years ago, the park had two owners: the owners of the holiday homes and the construction group VolkerWessels (Center Parcs rents out the houses on behalf of the cottage owners, ed.).
The latter decided to transfer the recreation building and the uninhabited islands to the owners.
Van den Berg: “After that step, we sat down with the owners and discussed the course we wanted to take together. After that takeover, we came to the conclusion that there was always something to do for both guests and visitors from the region.” should be. The largest enjoyment park in Drenthe, that is what we would like to become.”