The Municipality of Voorschoten Completes Sustainability Improvements at the Boschbloem Community Center

This afternoon, Aldermen Paul de Bruijn and Hubert Schokker took things to new heights. Together with treasurer Okke de Boks and building manager Arjan de Wit from the Boschbloem community center, as well as Kees Hooijmans from the Freek van Os company, they installed the final solar panel. With the installation of the solar panels, the community center’s sustainability project is now complete.

The work on the Boschbloem was part of the pilot project to make municipal real estate more sustainable. Alderman Hubert Schokker, who oversees the Sustainability portfolio: “With these solar panels, we’re wrapping up an impressive project. A lot has happened over the past two years: we’ve had LED lighting and energy-efficient HR++ glass installed, and we’ve added heat recovery ventilation units. The gas water heater has been replaced with an electric water heater. Heat pumps and infrared panels have been installed to heat the building. The solar panels, which convert solar energy into electricity, were the final step in the sustainability process.”

The Last Solar Panel at De Boschbloem
Building manager Arjan de Wit, Alderman Hubert Schokker, treasurer Okke de Boks (seated), contractor Kees Hooijmans of the Freek van Os company (on the ladder), and Alderman Paul de Bruijn with the last solar panel.

Collaboration

The sustainability improvements to the community center were discussed and implemented in close collaboration with the board. Treasurer Okke de Boks: “As users, we are very positive about this collaboration. The municipality has consistently worked closely with the community center to assess the building’s usage and optimize its various systems. The process was also accelerated so that, for example, the heat pumps were installed last winter during the energy crisis, resulting in a significant reduction in energy costs. In this way, we are working together to ensure that the Boschbloem building is—and remains—as sustainable and future-proof as possible.”

Alettahof

In addition to the Boschbloem, the Alettahof community center is also part of the pilot program to make municipal real estate more sustainable. There, too, several steps have already been taken toward sustainability: over the past year, HR++ glass was installed and LED lighting was put in place. Solar panels will soon be installed on the roof, and heat pumps will be put in place. 

Future

In 2021, the City Council and the Executive Board decided to make the municipality’s real estate more sustainable, in light of energy challenges and climate change. In doing so, the Municipality of Voorschoten is also aligning with national climate measures. Alderman Paul de Bruijn, who oversees the Real Estate portfolio: “The experience gained at the Boschbloem and Alettahof will certainly be applied to other municipal buildings. Of course, this always involves a customized approach. We’re taking a close look at the various buildings and spaces in our municipality, as well as how they’re used in relation to the systems and their operation. That’s why we’re now working on a sustainability plan and an energy report to identify opportunities for further sustainability improvements.”

More information

Residents who would like to learn more about sustainability can visit Duurzaam Voorschoten,www.voorschotenvoorduurzaamheid.nl,, andwww.duurzaambouwloket.nl/voorschoten,. Duurzaam Bouwloket is the municipality’s energy information center, where residents can ask questions free of charge.