Nijeveen has been under the spell of plans for a multifunctional center for almost two years. The schools, the churches, the sports hall, the village house and perhaps all still have to come together there. Municipal politics is enthusiastic about the Nijeveense plan. To reinforce it even more, Nijeveners have now set up a foundation: Foundation for the future -proof Nijeveen.
“We started with the idea of a multifunctional center,” says Ko Scheele, chairman of the foundation. “But it is actually much wider than that. It’s about the future of our facilities and is about the future of Nijeveen.” That is the case that locations are released once the multifunctional center is there. Then the schools are empty, the village house or the sports hall, for example. “There you can realize housing. It is a wish of many Nijeveners to have both young and old homes. We gradually got the idea that it is much more than just a center. It’s about care and other things.” So this foundation of the weekend was founded.
“If you want to be a good conversation partner to the municipality, then a foundation is easy,” says treasurer Marc Jan van der Linde. “It is easier for the municipality to talk to a foundation than with a separate working group. That has been the reason in particular.”
What also plays a role is a subsidy. The construction of a multifunctional center will most likely cost tens of millions. The Nijeveners can do a lot, they may be able to build it themselves, but paying for themselves she becomes a bit too much. For this, the municipality and the province are also looked at. This foundation can also help with this. “It is a very nice opportunity to gain subsidies,” Scheele adds.
In the beginning, the inhabitants may not notice the foundation very many. “The facilities that we now have are quite outdated,” responds Martin van Setten, secretary of the foundation. “They will be – even if we don’t have a foundation – to be replaced.” But that is not at the pace that the Nijeveners have in mind. “Preferably tomorrow, but we also know that it will not work. It will all happen step by step.” Marc Jan van der Linden immediately adds: “It will be fantastic if the whole was created in 2032 to 2033. But it will also be very nice if the first kick can be in the ground in 2027 or 2028.”
And then the residents will see the effects of this foundation. “It will start with the schools,” Van Setten explains. “Then those spaces are released for housing. People will see that.” Van der Linde points to OBS Commissioner Gaarlandt, who is located right on the Dorpsstraat. “Then you make space here in the center. Then you can also reinvent the center. There is also a demand for that. One ensures that the other person can also take shape.”
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