Cultural amenities under one roof
The Municipal Executive proposes transforming the current library into a multifunctional facility that will house, among other things, the library and a movie theater, but will also be able to accommodate other cultural and community activities. The City Council will consider this proposal on December 10. The City Council proposes that a final financial decision be made in June 2021, following further elaboration, as part of the 2022 budget framework.
Considerations
The city council is giving significant weight to a number of factors: the plan must be in line with the municipality’s current financial capabilities, and its feasibility, the ability to provide clarity quickly, and the availability of an alternative for both the library and the movie theater are also important. User preferences also play a major role in the choice of facility.
At the request of the city council, the feasibility study examined four options: the renovation of the Kruispuntkerk on Schoolstraat (in both a large-scale and a compact version), the expansion of the current library on Wijngaardenlaan, and the construction of a completely new building. The study concluded that renovating the current library offers the most opportunities.
During the study, it became clear that the compact option for the Kruispuntkerk lacks sufficient support among the partners, and that the expanded option is too expensive and too uncertain.
The plan developed by the library and the film theater for the cultural facility at the library site will, if the council approves it, be further elaborated so that a final decision can be made in conjunction with the 2022 Framework Memorandum, the municipal executive proposes. Since more information will be available by then regarding other claims, municipal fund revenues, and youth care development costs, a comprehensive assessment will be possible.
Flash Poll
The library, the film theater, and the Cultuurfabriek—which represents several cultural organizations in Voorschoten—were closely involved in the study.
Residents were able to express their preferences through a quick survey. Nearly 600 residents completed the survey. Of these, 82% believe that having a cultural venue is important for the center of Voorschoten. A large majority of respondents believe it is important for culture to contribute to social goals. The library and the art house cinema emerged as the facilities that most people value highly.
Kruispuntkerk and Downtown Development
The council considers the redevelopment of the Kruispuntkerk—in relation to the redevelopment of the city center, the development of residential sites, and the economic vision—to be of great importance. However, this can also be achieved through uses other than a library and movie theater, which could even attract larger audiences. For example, there are various examples throughout the country of churches that house restaurants, residential units, fitness centers, spaces for self-employed professionals, and office space, among other uses. It is now up to the owner, in consultation with the municipality, to propose an alternative plan for the Kruispuntkerk that does justice to the church’s historic value and can also serve to strengthen the city center.
The municipal executive will present an approach for the coordinated development of the sites in the city center at a later date.
Cultural Center
The design and construction of the new facility will still take a long time. Pending the council’s final decision and the implementation of the plans, the executive board proposes keeping the Cultural Center open for at least one year, with the possibility of an extension.
Explanation by the aldermen
If you would like more information, Aldermen De Bruijn (Culture) and Cramwinckel (Housing) would be happy to explain the proposal. To do so, please contactcommunicatie@werkorganisatieduivenvoorde.nl.