Unrest about Enkhuizen reception location not yet gone: municipality promises that it is temporary

“I come here to tell people the honest story, and I probably won’t make them happy with that,” said the mayor. Five units are to be built on the ice rink. Local residents were completely taken by surprise by the plans. The main concern is that the area, which currently consists of greenery, will soon be used permanently for housing, for example.

Already after ten minutes there is a commotion when it becomes clear that – despite the objections – the reception will most likely be set up after all. The meeting was sometimes noisy, within ten minutes it was already a hit and one of the local residents shouted angrily: “Why are we here then, so I might as well go home right away.”

Construction will start in two weeks

Someone in the room asks how long it will take before they start building. “Perhaps we will start in two weeks,” responds mayor Van Zuijlen. The audience reacts in disbelief. The fact that this location is now being realized so quickly is because there is a small delay in Stede Broec.

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When looking at the picture with the layout of the residential units, someone notices that there is still room for more residential units. “If more reception space is needed, will the capacity be doubled here?” asks the person. The mayor is silent for a moment. “I cannot promise you that if we are asked to increase capacity because the influx of refugees is increasing, this will not happen,” said the mayor.

Generators for electricity

The reception is soberly furnished. There are shared toilets, bathrooms and kitchens. However, overloading the power grid for problems. And so generators are needed to provide power. It causes dismay in the room. According to the mayor, it is necessary at least until the end of the year and measures are being taken to prevent noise pollution.

No other plans for location

Mayor Van Zuijlen also gave the guarantee that there are no other plans for the location. “People apparently got that idea somewhere. But after the emergency shelter it will become an ice rink again. There are no plans to build anything here.”

There is also the possibility to come up with alternative locations. This is eagerly used from the hall. Locations such as the old campsite at the Enkhuizerzand, the Flosbeugel and the Reigerweg are dismissed as unsuitable. But other options are being explored.

The mayor also said that the municipality will in any case be looking for a better reception location in the coming year. One that can later also be used for housing emergency seekers from the own municipality.

Mixed reactions

After a long evening, some local residents are cautiously positive. “He has promised it will be temporary and I believe him,” said one resident. Someone else is still a bit skeptical but has already resigned himself to it.