Despite opposition from the Almonte Basketball Association, the Eckart Sports Hall in the Eindhoven suburb of Woensel will be demolished. This was decided during a debate about this at City Hall on Tuesday evening.
Eindhoven’s politicians are backing Councillor Steenbakkers’ decision. He pointed out that the sports hall is empty for most of the year. In addition, the Municipality wants the Tweelingen Primary School, a childcare centre, and an associated gymnasium to use the location. This new building will be for the school, which is currently on Planetenlaan and Turfveldenstraat in Eckart. Those buildings need to be replaced urgently, according to the Municipality.
The political groups agree. They pointed out that new accommodation for the school is more important than keeping the sports hall open. “This will also save costs on our sports facilities. There is an overcapacity of sports centres in Eindhoven now. And the Municipality offered Almonte a cheap alternative; a sports hall in Achtse Barrier”, Samir Toub of the GroenLinks coalition party, says.
Almonte uses the Eckart Sports Hall the most. The club is afraid that the forced move will lead to the loss of members. Nevertheless, the political groups are confident the club can continue its activities in Achtse Barrier. After all, the Municipality will help the club financially with that. Furthermore, Almonte is the only basketball club in the city. Therefore, members should be willing to drive or cycle a bit further.
The Mayor and Councillors want to close the sports hall’s doors from 1 August 2020. After that, the sports hall will be flattened.
Source: www.studio040.nl
Translated by: Bob
Editor: Melinda Walraven
