It may have taken a while, but the time has finally come. The VV Loon sports park is finished: two new fields and an enlarged parking lot to prevent unsafe situations. Today the club celebrated its official reopening.
“Look around you, they have all hung up flags and balloons. We are very happy with the new fields and the parking lot, because it was really needed,” says chairman Björn van Dalen
“The two fields were at least ten years old and the municipality had the plan to renovate the fields,” he continues. One of the artificial grass fields also had to be cleaned, because the rubber granules were said to pollute the environment.
“We also thought it was important to kill two birds with one stone. We thought it was important that that parking lot was also created. When we looked at how busy it was here on a Saturday a few years ago, the cars were parked on the side of the road as far as Loon, which did create unsafe situations,” says van Dalen.
The club was closed for four months during the last part of the renovation. The players spent the months with the Asserboys. “I didn’t like it as much myself, because you could only train once a week,” explains Jelmer Admiraal, player at vvLEO 17-2.
The result is worth it to him. Admiral: “I think it turned out very well. The nets hang tight, it is beautiful and renewed. I think it is very nice myself.”
Chairman Van Dalen agrees. A long chapter has been closed today, because previous club boards were also working with the municipality to arrange everything. “It took a lot of effort, but we are very happy that the municipality also wanted to kill two birds with one stone.”
After the volunteers have been put in the spotlight and everyone involved has been thanked, it is really time for the official opening. Three, two, one, the red button is pressed. But the confetti cannons only give a sigh. No confetti, just loud laughter and applause.
It does not dampen the party atmosphere, the first team is welcomed with blue and white torches. Van Dalen: “We are now going to make extensive use of the sports park. We hope it has not been in vain.” The club hopes that the renovation will also attract new youth.