New school building and new sports hall at Van Doornenplantsoen

MOTION Move College

Following the administrative takeover by the Lucas Education Foundation, the name of this vmbo school has changed. The new name better reflects the current direction and needs of the school.

The current site is severely outdated and far too large. The new school can accommodate up to 550 students. The Program of Requirements 'Fresh Schools 2021' is a basis for building a new school. This establishes good and appropriate educational quality in a fun, healthy, inspiring and sustainable environment. A Fresh School pays attention to the themes: energy, air quality, temperature, light and sound.

New zoning plan

The school and sports hall will be built on the grassy field opposite the existing school. A new zoning plan has been drawn up for this purpose. On Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, the council proposal for the adoption of the zoning plan for the new Van Doornenplantsoen building was adopted, changing the zoning.

Sports Hall

In the coalition agreement 'Doing together what is necessary' it was agreed to invest in sports facilities. The new sports hall is being built because of the shortage of sports halls in Zoetermeer.

The new sports hall will be used by the schools during the day. In addition, the Zoetermeer sports clubs will also use the hall. A number of common areas will be shared with the MOTION Beweeg College (entrance, checkroom, changing room, toilets). Thanks to this cooperation, the sports hall will be used optimally.

Larger sports hall for more opportunities

During the design process, the "Quality Standards for Indoor Sports Facilities Korfball" were modified and further explained. As a result, the dimensions of the playing field, including free range, were revised.

By enlarging the sports hall by about 400^m2, we are making it suitable for more sports and ensuring that it meets the official rules of the Royal Dutch Korfball Association (KNKV). The expansion also provides various improvements in the surrounding areas:

• Spacious locker rooms that are better laid out and more user-friendly.
• Two locker rooms for teachers instead of one.
• Enlarged apparatus storage, providing more storage space and more options for use of the hall and sports classes.
• A built-in trampoline.
• An additional changing area for the disabled (MIVA).
• A separate first aid room.
• Additional (rentable) accommodation space of 80^m2.
• A spacious entrance overlooking the hall.
• An elevator with access to the elevated schoolyard.

The council unanimously approved the enlargement of the sports hall on Sept. 16, 2024.

Design phase

The final design has been completed. The images at the bottom of this page give a good idea of the design of the school and sports hall. Please note that these images are not quite final as the architect is still adjusting the facade. The updated facade drawings will be added to this page later.

Challenge: grid congestion

Recently, the project faced an unexpected challenge: grid congestion in South Holland. This means that there is currently insufficient capacity on the electricity grid to realize new large-scale connections. As a result, the newly built school and sports hall cannot be directly connected to the power grid. The municipality is working with all stakeholders to quickly reach a solution to provide the building with alternative energy. As a result, it is not yet clear exactly when construction work will begin.

Environmental Permit

The environmental permit for this project was granted in mid-April 2025. This is an important milestone that brings the project closer to the realization of the new school building and sports hall. This means we can now proceed with preparations for the construction phase.

Start of construction phase 1

On June 24, 2025, the College of B&W decided to allow phase 1 of construction to begin, in anticipation of the resolution of the appeal that is pending. This decision was made because of the great social importance of the project: the realization of a new school and sports facility. This is possible because the rules allow room to start in advance in such situations. By carrying out the work partly before and during the summer vacations, noise pollution for the schools and the neighborhood will be reduced as much as possible. Construction fences will be erected on Friday, July 4, 2025. From July 7 to August 29, the first work will take place. 

There was little time between the college's decision and the start of the work. Therefore, it was not feasible to organize an information meeting. We informed local residents in other ways: through a residents' letter, a list of frequently asked questions (Q&A) and some walk-in moments on site.

If you experience any inconvenience from the construction work, please contact the contractor at: new-build-motionbeweegcollege.nl.

Routes for pedestrians, cyclists and cars

Construction traffic route

Bottleneck 1

Situation: In order to be able to take the turn with the flatbed truck, at the intersection Vaartdreef/Slootdreef the turn is too narrow to turn.
Measure: The existing lamp post will be removed and a new lamp post will be placed on both sides of the road. The center island will be removed.
Duration of Measure: The work was performed July 17 and 18. The center island has been lowered. This implemented measure applies to phase 1 and phase 2 of construction.
Once construction of the school and sports hall is completed, the center island at the intersection will be restored to its original condition.

Bottleneck 2

Situation: In order to take the turn with the low-loader, there is too little space to turn at the intersection Slootdreef/Meervalsloot. At the indicated parking spaces there is a possible risk of damage when taking the turn.
Measure: Temporarily close parking spaces during the transport period.
Duration of measure: week 28-2025 up to and including week 35-2025

Bottleneck 3

Situation: On the Meervalsloot, there is not enough space for the flatbed truck near the tree and the speed bump.
Measure: Temporarily cordon off parking spaces during the transport period.
Duration of measure: week 28-2025 through week 35-2025

Questions and answers about start of construction phase 1

Planning

Planning will follow after more is clear about the solution to power the building due to the declared grid congestion in South Holland.