The Krommenieër Shooting Club SV A8 is doing everything it can to prevent closure of their striking building under the exit of the A8. The municipality wants to break off the exit to Koog aan de Zaan and that would also end the shooting club. “We have been there for more than 40 years and there has never been any nuisance,” says chairman Bas van der Woude during the open day at which demonstrations are given to interested parties and support is requested for their fight for self-preservation.
Even with earplugs on, the sound of the bullets is deafening. With a German-made heavy-caliber rifle, the bullets fly over the 50-meter long track and ricochet on armored steel. “That 50 meters is unique and it is also necessary if you are going to shoot with these kinds of heavy weapons,” says Bas and if that were no longer possible, it would stop for most of the members.
merger
Even though they are a small club with 100 members, it is again too big for a merger. The shooting club in Zaandam has 250 members and can certainly not have them. Bas doesn’t really want to think about moving. “We are in such a good place here. No one is bothered by the noise. People have lived here for thirty years and they never knew we were here. That says it all.” There were also officials at the municipality who did not know about the existence of the shooting club. “It’s a bit crazy. Because with all those checks and permits, they always know where to find us.”
goodwill
Bas hopes for goodwill to prevent a departure, but also realizes that the image of a shooting club is not too good. “That’s a shame because you have to know what we all have to meet in order to keep a weapon. And you only have to get into an argument with your neighbor once and then you lose your permit.”
Bas has no idea where the shooting club can go if the demolition of the exit continues. “I’m repeating myself, but we just want to stay.”