It is high time for additional units on the football fields in 2e Exloërmond where football club De Treffer ’16 plays. At least, if it is up to the association itself. They have indicated that they have insufficient changing space. The additional costs for the municipality are 100,000 euros.
There are currently twelve container units, which house the canteen, boardroom, meeting rooms and material storage, among other things. De Treffer ’16 has been using the temporary units for almost five years. No room has been made for changing rooms in these units. The sports hall is currently being used for changing clothes.
Earlier this year it was already reported that, according to the municipality, De Treffer ’16 is entitled to sufficient changing facilities. Changing clothes in the sports hall is not ideal, as the changing rooms are also used by indoor athletes. Moreover, the changing rooms of the sports hall are located too far away from the main field according to the KNVB standard of fifty meters, the municipality reports.
The council has reserved an amount of 50,000 euros for a temporary solution for the changing rooms, but this amount appears to be insufficient due to the price increase of units. There is now the option to install and adapt existing units, with a total cost of 150,000 euros. The municipality is proposing to get the extra 100,000 euros from reserves. For this purpose, four changing and shower facilities and a referee room can be realized in a sober form.
Various scenarios have been investigated for the realization of temporary changing rooms for the football complex in 2e Exloërmond. Installing new units, both purchase and rental, turned out to cost more. With the installation of used units and the association’s self-activity, it is possible to stay within the intended budget of 150,000 euros. During the implementation, the intention is that the association itself will renovate the units and prepare them for use as changing and shower facilities.
All parties believe that a structural solution should now be looked at. The permit for the temporary units will expire next year. “Anyone who looks at that case can count on their fingers that we are spending a ton on something that will no longer be allowed next year. That is a waste of money,” responds Eisso Kronenberg (Municipal Interests).
There are also other sounds. For example, Yannick Olij (PvdA): “Football in 2e Exloërmond is of course a long-term issue. We see the MFA (multifunctional accommodation, ed.) as a long-term solution, but this cannot simply be realized, it will take time. Until then “We need to play good football over time, so adding additional units is necessary. The units can later be used in cases elsewhere, this seems to us to be a sensible choice.”
There are doubts among several council members, and Municipal Interests maintains that a temporary solution is not an option. CDA declares that it is time to finally ‘take a blow’ on this issue. It is clear to the council members that the future lies with a possible MFA. But the question is how long it will last. For example, VVD indicates that this may not be until 2028, which is why De Treffer ’16 is now ready for a temporary solution.
The decision on this matter will be made at a later date.