Welcome to this week’s edition of Wassenaar Weekly. Your source for local stories, events, and community
news in English, brought to you by Wassenaarders.nl
De Paauw renovation delayed after bids exceed budget
The planned renovation and restoration of Wassenaar’s town hall, De Paauw, has suffered a setback after all bids submitted by contractors exceeded the municipality’s maximum budget.
The municipality will now enter negotiations with the contractor whose bid offered the best value for money and came closest to the available budget. The process is expected to be delayed by at least two months.
Preparatory work at De Paauw is already well under way. The building is almost empty, its art collection and other valuable objects have been moved elsewhere, and asbestos removal has been completed. For now, the municipality is still aiming to complete the renovation by the end of 2028, allowing the municipal administration to return to De Paauw in the first quarter of 2029.
Youth chess club starts new season
Wassenaar youth chess club Bobby Fischer has started its 2026–2027 season. The club had 63 young members last year, with several Wassenaar school teams and individual players achieving strong results in national competitions.
Chess sessions take place on Fridays at Deijlerhuis on Hofcampweg. The first group, for children up to the age of 11, meets from 5.00 to 6.00 pm, while advanced players meet from 6.30 to 8.30 pm.
New members are welcome.
Fun Workshops return for Wassenaar volunteers
Vrijwilligerscentrale Wassenaar (VCW), Wassenaar’s volunteer centre, is once again organising its Fun Workshops as a thank-you to local volunteers. The activities will take place on 8, 9 and 10 October.
Volunteers with a VCW volunteer pass can choose from a range of workshops, clinics and other activities. This year, participants may also bring a guest to their chosen workshop. There will also be informal get-togethers at the Van Heeckerenhuis on Friday and Saturday, where visitors can see the exhibition De Kracht van Doen, which puts Wassenaar’s volunteers in the spotlight.
Registration is open until 20 September. Participants can register for a maximum of one workshop.
Documentary highlights impact of Long COVID
The documentary Stand van Zaken will be screened at Theater Warenar on Sunday 13 September. The screening was initiated by Wassenaar resident Bernadette Kester and focuses on the impact Long COVID can have on people’s everyday lives.
Filmmaker Rolf Orthel follows people who were previously healthy but now spend much of their time lying down, often isolated from work, education and social activities. The documentary also looks at recent developments in scientific research.
Kester’s son contracted COVID-19 in March 2020 and has experienced long-term symptoms ever since. His experience was an important reason for drawing wider attention to the condition.
Councillor Henri Hendrickx leaves Hart voor Wassenaar
Wassenaar councillor Henri Hendrickx is leaving local political party Hart voor Wassenaar and will continue as an independent councillor.
His departure leaves Hart voor Wassenaar with three councillors. Pasquale van Vliet-van Dijk has taken over as group leader, with Irma van der Marel and Françoise van Leeuwen-Geelen completing the three-member group.
Hendrickx informed the party of his decision in June. He has said he intends to continue representing voters and supporting positions he previously took as a councillor.
Hart voor Wassenaar says it regrets his departure but respects his decision.
Dutch handball stars coming to Olympia’72
Young handball players will have the chance to train with members of the Dutch women’s national handball team when the TeamNL HandbalDames Clinic Tour visits Olympia’72 in Wassenaar on Wednesday 23 September.
The clinic runs from 5.00 to 7.00 pm and is aimed at young players in the E, D, C and B age categories. Participants will train with national team players and will also have the opportunity to get autographs and take photos.
Places are limited, and tickets are available through the official event page of the Dutch Handball Association.
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