There is a lot of commotion in and around the Hallenhoes in Exloo. Construction workers walk in and out of the building to prepare it for furnishings. With two weeks left until the official opening, the final finishing touches are being put into place.
The village’s Tourist Information Point will soon be located in the new building on Zuiderhoofdstraat. For example, more information about the Exloo sheep herd is available, as well as an educational information center from ASTRON, the Dutch institute for radio astronomy.
The thatched building is now ready, the focus is now on the square and the design of the building. “The stress is now starting to increase a bit, but everything will be fine,” laughs Frits Heukers, chairman of Management Foundation Het Plein.
The building will become the new eye-catcher of the village. “After the Bebinghehoes fire, this was a barren plain, the square was dead and the heart of Exloo was gone. With the Hallenhoes, that heart is coming back,” Heukers says proudly. The first plans for the building were drawn up in 2018, but it took a long time before anything actually happened. Heukers: “It all took a little longer than expected, but look what it is now. It has become a beautiful building.”
The Hallenhoes has a ground floor and an upper floor, both of which have already been used. The Exloo Sheep Herd Foundation will have a separate space downstairs, where a shop will be run. “Here we will sell handmade souvenirs, among other things. For example, we already have mugs with a print of Sjonny. That is a well-known sheep from the flock,” says Jakob Kerkhoff of Schaapskudde Exloo.
The flock of sheep shares the floor with the Tourist Information Point and a lunchroom. “The building must of course be operable, that is why we have given this interpretation,” Heukers explains.
The top floor is occupied by ASTRON. Heukers: “Here they are making an escape room about the Big Bang, especially for young people.” This will be an indoor activity for tourists, but school classes will also visit regularly. The goal is that the escape room can be put into use from next school year.
The area around the Hallenhoes is currently still surrounded by sand, but this will make way for a green appearance. “There will be a lot of grass, trees, shrubs and a children’s playground,” says Heukers. “I think every municipality in Drenthe will soon be jealous of this,” Kerkhoff adds.
According to the Management Foundation, the Hallenhoes must ensure unity in the village. Not only for tourists, but also for residents. The opening is planned for Thursday, May 16 and will be the start of the festive week in Exloo.
Tags: Construction Hallenhoes good finished heart Exloo
