Plans for a multifunctional facility to be announced soon

In July, the Voorschoten City Council may make a decision regarding the plans to convert the library into a multifunctional facility. This is evident from a letter that the municipal executive sent to the council. 

“Together with the library, we’ve created a design that, within the limits of our resources, caters to as many (cultural) users and functions as possible. It’s a design that we in Voorschoten will be able to benefit from and enjoy for many years to come,” said Alderman de Bruijn (Culture). 

Whether this is financially feasible will become clear this summer when the framework memorandum is discussed. The municipality will have to make difficult financial decisions this summer. There is a structural deficit because the national government provides insufficient funding for municipal tasks.
“The beautiful design is simple and modest and fits well with the philosophy of collaboration. Hopefully, the framework memorandum will reveal whether the council supports this design and is also willing to fund it,” said Alderman Cramwinckel (Facilities and Finance). 

The Design 

A design has been developed under the direction of the MFA Steering Committee, which includes Aldermen Cramwinckel and De Bruijn, as well as Ms. Koning and Messrs. Hooijdonk and Van Leeuwen from the library. The library building will be adapted so that, in addition to cultural organizations, social and educational organizations can also organize activities and/or find space there. (Potential) users are also closely involved in this process. A new large auditorium has been designed that is suitable for lectures, films, theater, ballet, and concerts, complete with dressing rooms and storage space. The Film Theater and the Theaterplaats Youth Theater School will be relocated here once the Cultural Center closes.

The design also includes a large foyer with a bar, a small auditorium, additional classrooms, and meeting rooms. The layout allows these spaces to be used for a variety of purposes, such as language classes, courses, and workshops. The library will serve as Voorschoten’s “living room,” open all week from early morning to late at night, where all residents of Voorschoten can feel at home. 

Next Steps

If the city council approves the design and budget this summer, a final proposal can be drafted. Following the council’s approval, construction could then begin in 2022. In the meantime, the library, the city, and the other users will also begin working together to explore the layout of the facility and to reach agreements on its future management.

Citizens' Initiative 

Recently, residents of Voorschoten submitted an alternative plan for the development of a mixed-use facility (MFA) involving the demolition of the Kruispuntkerk site. The municipal executive has taken note of this initiative and believes that the focus should now be on developing the option selected by the council. The municipal executive is also awaiting the owner’s plans for the Kruispuntkerk, which include a combination of the church and residential housing. Discussions regarding that design are currently underway.  

Library+

The library’s role has expanded enormously in recent years. It now does more than just lend out books. The Formulierenbrigade holds office hours there, the Taalhuis and the Speel-O-theek are in full swing, and the Leescafé is a favorite meeting place for many people. Lectures and courses are also held there, along with activities for children and visits from school classes. Organizations frequently make use of the meeting facilities.