Last year we informed you about a number of projects that would start from the master plan Sport and Culture. These projects are the first step in the expansion of the sports and cultural facilities on campus. The expansions are prompted by the current lack of capacity and by the ageing of a number of facilities. In the meantime, we have continued with the developments for the water sports complex, the technical innovations in the Vrijhof and the upgrade of the foyer of the Vrijhof. In addition, we are exploring the possibilities for additional temporary facilities for sports and cultural activities, such as a temporary (aluminum) sports hall, a temporary dance hall, and an extra fitness area. The following is a state of affairs per project.
What about the current projects?
Adaptations of theatre technique for the Amphitheatre and the Agora Hall
From occupational health and safety conditions, adjustments are necessary to the suspension systems for theatre technology. The adjustments make operating the theatre technology safer. The order for the realization has been given and the installation of the new technology will start in July, so that, if everything goes according to plan, it will be ready before the Kick In starts.
Upgrade Vrijhof foyer
Recently the first proposal was presented to the working group and the first impressions were shared. We will now look at what this plan means financially and in what timeframe the upgrade can be realised.
Water sports complex
we have started with the design plans of the Water Sports Complex. A Schedule of Requirements has been drawn up on which the architect elaborates a design. We expect the permit procedure and tender to be completed this year and then the renovation will start in spring 2024.
Temporary sports hall: the wishes of the UT have been discussed with the municipality for the realization of a temporary sports facility on the current beach field or on the camping site. It has been found that this is not feasible from a permit point of view. An alternative location on campus or elsewhere near the campus should be considered, pending a possible structural expansion of the current sports hall.
Temporary dance hall: two options for a temporary dance facility are currently being assessed for feasibility in time and money. This concerns a temporary room in the parking lot directly behind the Vrijhof and an adaptation of the Logica building.
Extra provision for a fitness area: it has been proposed to the municipality to realize this facility near the UTrack area. The municipality is now reviewing this application.
Padel courts: unfortunately, we as UT cannot fulfill the wish to realize padel courts at the tennis courts. Noise research has shown that the realization of padel courts does not fit the required environmental permit, due to exceeding the noise standards.
Reassessment of the sports and culture master plan
In order to continue to meet the ambitions, demand and spatial needs of the UT and contemporary requirements for Sport and Culture facilities, a substantial catch-up and substantial (investment) programme is necessary. Therefore, service department Campus and Facility Management (CFM), Student Union, Apollo, Sport Umbrella Twente (SUT) and agency Draaijer+partners, drew up a Sports and Culture master plan last year.
The situation with the sub-projects already in progress has been outlined above. In the meantime, it is necessary for a number of other subprojects to re-examine the basic principles. For example, we now have to take into account a changed influx of prospective students at the UT. This will be lower than originally expected in the coming year. From a financial point of view, this will influence the choices in the master plan.
We also have to deal with a number of changes in the spatial frameworks that we receive from the municipality. For example, the municipality sets higher requirements for temporary housing which are comparable to permanent construction. This will lead to longer lead times and higher costs.
In addition, work is being done on a new structural vision for the campus, in which previously proposed locations may no longer be (temporarily) built on. Aspects such as cultural history also seem to be more important compared to previous principles.
In order to properly weigh up considerations about the further planned renovation and expansion for Sport & Culture, we are working with agency Draaijer+partners over the next four months to reassess the Sport and Culture master plan. It is expected that it will be submitted to the Executive Board for decision-making after September of this year. Topics that will be discussed include the realization of an expansion of the current sports hall, the upgrade of the existing sports halls and proposal for renovation of the current indoor swimming pool based on the requirements for recreational use by the UT community, a Body & Mind center in the Pavilion zone and a programme of requirements for renovation of the Vrijhof.
Learn More
If you have any questions about the developments in the context of the Sports and Culture master plan, please contact Gijs Verburg, Ingrid Bos and Evelien Bril.
General information about the UT's long-term housing strategy can be found at www.utwente.nl/ltsh.
