At the front of the premises of Duurzaamheidscentrum Weizigt We are still working hard, but it is going to be absolutely beautiful. Moreover, the building process is going fast. Eva Baars, Communication and Projects Advisor at the sustainability centre, talks enthusiastically about the expansion that is currently in full swing. The goal: more water and greenery and a more open and friendly atmosphere. "The water at the front will be extended so that the Aquarama will be located on a kind of island, better in view and more accessible than before. The decking near the pool will allow you to get nice and close to the water. There will also be footbridges over the water so that the Aquarama is accessible from various sides. A water tunnel under the gangways ensures that the aquatic animals can swim around freely. There will be a difference in levels in the ditches on the site, which will catch the rainwater.
It will be a while before everything can be admired in its full glory, but it is going to be beautiful!
Nature-friendly bank garden
Weizigt is getting a large new piece of garden. The fence and the wall at the front, on the side of the Koetshuis and Aquarama, will be removed so that the entrance becomes more friendly. The water will soon form the natural boundary of the grounds. Blocks will be pressed from the sand of the soil that is released during the work. These blocks will then be stacked to form a wall, a so-called GEOWALLÓ, around the Aquarama. This is a technique of NETICS. The new area will be laid out as a nature-friendly bank garden. Additional water also means additional banks. "Eva explains: "We have thought about that too. "The banks are made of coconut rolls for vegetation. These coir rolls contain small plants that obviously still have to grow. Nature still has to take its course. It will take some time before the new vegetation can be admired in all its glory."
Major redesign of Weizigtpark
"We will soon be offering our visitors an extra piece of garden with a different theme from the rest of the site. The extra area is a facility that complements the existing offer, specifically focused on life in the water. Just as the vegetable garden is a facility, the riverbank garden will soon be one too. It's really something new and we're quite proud of that. Incidentally, our renovation is not an isolated case. It is part of the major redesign of the entire Weizigtpark, which will take place at a later stage. The park will be completely redesigned and made more attractive, with wider bicycle lanes, among other things. We would like to connect more with the park and are already doing this by setting out treasure hunts in the park, for example."
Water treasure hunt in the park
To get into the water mood, you can take the Water Quest in the Weizigtpark. It is set out as part of the Week of Our Water in October, but will also be there in November. At the entrance gate to Weizigt, on the side of the Koetshuis, hangs a box with the treasure hunt sheets. On it are the water questions. The answers can be found on the fourteen drops hanging in the trees of the park. There are also a number of practical assignments. Young children can tick which water pictures they have come across. You can also write a water tip on the treasure sheet itself. The person with the best water tip has a chance of winning a water trip for the whole family!
Weizigt and the neighbourhood
"With the expansion and a more open look, we also hope to welcome more local residents. It is going to be really beautiful and we want to share that with the neighbourhood. Of course it will take some time before it is really finished, but the start is there. It will be ready by the end of November at the latest, and from then on it will only become more beautiful and greener."
