Great news for families in Meterik! Primary school Onder de Wieken is getting a serious upgrade. The municipality wants to free up nearly 2 million euros to expand the building. And honestly, it was about time because the place has been bursting at the seams.
Here is what is planned:
- Two extra classrooms
- A dedicated gym hall (no more bus rides for the little ones! 🚌➡️🏫)
- Upgrades to the outdoor play area
- Improvements to traffic safety around the school
The best part? These plans were developed together with the school, childcare provider ‘t Nest, and the neighborhood. Information sessions were held and local residents support the chosen approach. The extension will be added to the back of the building, keeping the historic front facade intact. 🏛️
Childcare provider ‘t Nest stays in the building and is even contributing financially. So it remains a true children’s center where kids from baby age through primary school can grow and learn together.
The municipal council votes on the proposal on September 15. If approved, construction starts late 2026 and the new spaces could be in use by 2027.
The dedicated gym hall is more than just a nice addition. Currently, the youngest students have to be bussed to another location for physical education. This costs not only travel time but also precious teaching hours. With the new in-house gym hall, the youngest children get direct access to PE classes in their own building, reportedly saving multiple hours of effective teaching time per week.
