There are currently around ten serious parties who have shown interest in a takeover of the bankrupt Veenpark in Barger-Compascuum. Reason for curator Jan Maarten Pol to be optimistic about the future of the cultural -historical park, despite a debt of 700,000 to 800,000 euros.
According to Pol, the interest in the Veenpark is ‘good in itself’. “Several parties have reported to me and director Harrie Keuter. We are currently making an inventory.” In the coming period, work will be done on a sales brochure and the design of a digital data room, in which interested parties gain access to financial, legal and exploitation information. When the bidding process starts exactly is not yet known.
Despite the bankruptcy, the Veenpark has remained open. “We have succeeded in keeping the exploitation running for the time being. The electricity will be delivered and the employees continue to be paid,” said Pol. In total there are 40 to 45 employees, partly it is about call and holiday workers.
An important challenge for any buyers is the ownership situation. The twenty buildings on the site are part of the sale, but the land is in the hands of Staatsbosbeheer and falls under a leasehold construction.
“That means that you as a new owner have to consult with Staatsbosbeheer,” Pol explains. “There are ground lease conditions that limit the use of the soil.” Maintaining the cultural -historical value is a condition. “So an amusement park or recreational homes can’t just be done.”
Yet Pol also sees room for development. “The ground lease conditions are in principle negotiable. In addition, a change in the zoning plan is possible, but then you have to go to the municipality of Emmen.” According to Pol, everything starts with a vision. “For example, if you can fit in the park in Glamping style in the park, I expect that there will be benevolent.”
The curator agrees that a simple continuation of the park offers insufficient future. “I always say: if you do what you did, you get what you got. Then we will be back on the same point in three years.” The park needs more than just telling the historical story, says Pol.
The total debt of the Veenpark is currently around 700,000 to 800,000 euros. About half a million of this is owed to the bank. In addition, 120,000 euros in provincial subsidy are expected to be repaid. The municipality of Emmen is still investigating whether part of an earlier amount of 330,000 must be recovered. Clarity is expected about this in September or October.
A restart will probably take a while. “With a normal bankruptcy you are ready at four weeks, but this involves so many parties that it inevitably takes longer,” said Pol. He expects that the process will certainly run until after October.
Nevertheless, he is positive: “Everyone wants the Veenpark to continue to exist. The interest is great and I am confident that there will be a good solution.”