Renovation work at GC De Markten was halted after the contractor went bankrupt

Work on the community center on the Oude Graanmarkt – where Café De Markten is also located – will begin in spring 2022. This will include a complete renovation of the courtyard, with a new reception and outdoor staircase for visitors.

The race has now completely broken out. But the contractor, a company from Leer, has declared bankruptcy, says Eva Wilsens, the centre's director. Public documents confirm the bankruptcy on January 22. “It went on for a year, sometimes appearing and sometimes disappearing,” says Wilsens. “Communication was also difficult.”

A curator has been appointed, but further progress on the works remains to be seen. “Everything is on hold at the moment and we are not allowed to come to the site,” says Wilsens.

Renewal mode

The center remained open during the works, but not without interruption. “We have been renovating for two years,” says Wilsens. “We now know how to deal with it, but access to the center has become less difficult. The entrance is now through the café, for example.” “Due to work, we also don't have a lift, which means our rooms are used less.”

The center now has to wait for the website to be released and then work on a temporary solution. Wilsens is in contact with the Buildings Department of the Flemish Community Committee to discuss further developments. “This is necessary, because there has to be a new tender procedure. Everything has to be done again.”