Cultural amenities under one roof
The City Council’s “ executive board ” 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. According to the “ executive board ,” a final financial decision will be made in June 2021, following further elaboration, as part of the 2022 framework memorandum.
Considerations
Several factors carry significant weight for the “ executive board ”: 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 “ municipal council ,” the feasibility study examined four options: renovating the Kruispuntkerk on Schoolstraat into either a large or a compact version; expanding the current library on Wijngaardenlaan; and constructing an entirely 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, according to the proposal by the “ executive board .” Since more information will be available by then regarding other claims, municipal fund revenues, and development costs youth care, a comprehensive assessment will be possible.
Flash Poll
The library, the movie 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 the presence of a cultural facility is important for Voorschoten’s “ centre .” A large majority of respondents believe it is important for culture to contribute to social goals. The library and the film theater emerged as the facilities that most people value highly.
Kruispuntkerk and Downtown Development
The “ executive board ” considers the redevelopment of the Kruispuntkerk—in conjunction with the development of the “ centre,” the development of residential sites, and the economic vision—to be of great importance. However, this can also be achieved with 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 independent contractors, and office spaces, 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 “ centre .”
The “ executive board ” will present a plan at a later date for the coordinated development of the sites in the “ centre.”
Cultural centre
The design and construction of the new facility will still take a long time. Until the council makes a final decision and the plans are implemented, the executive board ’s proposal is to keep the Culture centre 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.