Dongen is a typical medium-sized Dutch municipality of 25,000 inhabitants in North Brabant. Although the inhabitants can easily go to Breda, Tilburg and Oosterhout for going out, club life here is alive and well. The dozens of carnival associations and other associations mostly held their gatherings in premises scattered about the town, which were often old and dilapidated. With a few major refurbishments and renovations urgently needed, the municipality was prompted to work on what jargon calls a 'multifunctional accommodation'.
"As involved organisations, we immediately began discussions once it became clear that De Cammeleur really was on the way. After all, our collaboration forms the very foundation of this building. That was intensive and resulted in a schedule of requirements with which the building should comply. The schedule was from all of us”, explained Jurgen Jansen, director of the Stichting DonckHuys [DonckHuys Foundation] that operates the De Cammeleur.
For everyone
Jurgen Jansen: "The starting point was that everyone from Dongen could come here. That also meant that the hospitality sector would play an important role. In order to tackle that more professionally, we engaged Joost van de Ven, former hospitality manager at the Efteling. Hospitality must, of course, to a large extent, also be an earner for us, so we sought something that fitted in well with the idea behind the building: transparent and accessible. That's why the facade is of glass, and from here, we also have a beautiful view over the renovated park". The grand café on the ground floor is a real eye-catcher.
It was decided to call for tenders for the refurbishment. Satelliet won with a proposal in 3D. Van de Ven: "We went to Inspirium with that proposal in mind. There we finally made our definitive choices. Such as, for instance, the colour green is that little bit warmer than the original blue". Both gentlemen are very pleased with the final result. Jansen: "I think that we have indeed succeeded in creating an inviting and hospitable place in the cultural heart of Dongen".