New Visitors Centre is taking shape

• Share online:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Linkedin

The new focal point of the building activities is all about the new Visitors Centre, which is currently gaining height as its structure is taking shape. Step by step, the contours of its upper sections are being revealed. And it’s not just contours either: the emerging outdoor terrace is promising to be a great spot for grabbing a quick bite and enjoying a drink under open Dutch skies! The Visitors Centre’s grand opening is scheduled for September 7. Preparations for the event are well underway as we speak.

As another recent development, a walled concrete flooring section has been hoisted into the overarching structure of the Visitors Centre, intended to serve as the venue to watch a new introductory film about Kinderdijk. This concrete colossus weighs no less than 27 tonnes altogether. To get the job done, an all-new telescopic crane was rolled in by the Boer BV firm from Meerkerk, clocking in at a hefty 300 tonnes itself.

Pictures

By now, it has been five weeks since the official opening of the group entrance zone. The overall project has not yet been fully completed, though. A few hurdles still remain, and we’re all looking forward to seeing some of the planned greeneries arrive, but so far, the initial experiences have been positive ones for all of us. The new pedestrian bridge spanning the Lower Overwaard Basin has achieved crowd favourite status in no time when it comes to popular spots for taking great pictures.

Once the Visitors Centre is ready for its grand opening, as we conclude our annual Illumination Week in September, we will be able to mark the completion of the sweeping changes planned for the entrance to our Kinderdijk World Heritage grounds. The main point of the grand overhaul is to stay on top of managing the ever-increasing flow of tourists visiting the site. From now on, all groups will enter the premises by the dedicated group entrance zone on the Overwaard side, while the current entrance situated on the opposite bank of the Nederwaard remains the point of access for all our individual guests.