Who are we?
Market Pavilion Valkenswaard
In March 2017, 7 enthusiastic residents of Valkenswaard came together with the aim of reviving an old tradition: promoting meeting and culture by placing and operating a building on the Market in Valkenswaard.
The Market has a connecting function between the catering establishments on the one hand and the shopping area on the other. If residents or visitors want to meet here, there is no public “meeting point” where they can meet or sit covered, other than in an establishment where consumption is mandatory.
The Stichting Markt Paviljoen Valkenswaard, founded on 11 January 2018, wants to offer a solution to these needs in the form of a covered platform. Valkenswaard traditionally has a large and varied association life with many participants in a wide range of cultural activities.
In addition, in a changing society we see an emergence of creative individuals in the field of (synthetic) music in the role of performer or DJ, stand-up comedians, as well as small groups of musicians in many genres. It appears that many of these individuals and groups need a stage to present their skills to the public.
Many recurring events are also organized in Valkenswaard. For this, the Markt, the center of most of these activities, lacks a permanent platform to present these cultural expressions.
Restart of Cultural Valkenswaard
From crisis to cooperation
A new start
In March 2022, through the mediation of two active and respected Valkenswaard cultural practitioners, Jacques van Gerven and Frank van Daal, it was possible to get a representative group of objectors to the table. Together with several members of the foundation, a working group was installed, under the name New Cultural Initiative (NCI) to arrive at a joint approach. The municipality was also approached for advice, in particular with the question of how to approach the population. The advice was to start with a 'clean slate', to ask open questions via an independent agency and not to come up with proposals yourself.
The board has requested and approved the necessary financial resources for this through a council proposal.
Survey of the population and consequences for the location and design agency Scheepers&Renee was called in and collected the wishes of Valkenswaardenaren in a playful way.
Based on the results of the research, the NCI working group members now have a clear idea of how the initiative to promote meeting and culture can still go ahead, with sufficient support from the members of the working group and the citizens of Valkenswaard. In addition, we take into account a large-scale study that the municipality recently conducted into the wishes regarding leisure activities among young people from Valkenswaard in the design, but especially the programming.
Conclusion: The research once again shows the urgency of low-threshold cultural and social meeting places. Also looking at the possibilities that the center offers, in terms of space, the Market is still the most desired and realistic option. However, the originally submitted design of the kiosk needs improvement to better match the requirements and wishes of the population.
Design
It soon became clear that the original design did not sufficiently match the requirements/wishes of the residents. Cosy gathering without consumption obligation, also in the colder months. The idea to work with wind shelter led to a lockable building. The search at home and abroad by the subgroup "traject design" yielded many possibilities, with a round shape receiving much support. After physically visiting some existing locations, the design was refined and with the signature of our member and architect Wouter Margry, the current design was created.
The pavilion is limited movable, demountable and vandal-proof. If, for whatever reason, the building stands (temporarily) in the way, it can be dismantled in 2 days and placed or stored elsewhere.
We can no longer speak of a kiosk and now the object is called Market Paviljon. Now that the opportunity has arisen, a link can also be made in the design with the two UNESCO "intangible world heritages" that Valkenswaard received. As a result, the object contributes even more to the awareness and hopefully pride in our own Valkenswaard as a village to continue to live in, to do business and to enjoy.
Functionality of the Market Pavilion
- A place for meeting and culture
- With a decor that exudes coziness
- With a stage for smaller performances
- But also an information point.
The province was already enthusiastic about placing an information column at the kiosk at the time. This can now be placed in the interior.
In addition to information about our agenda, attention is also paid to what else there is to do in Valkenswaard. Now that Unesco is inextricably linked to Valkenswaard, the information point also offers the opportunity to report on this and to use the pavilion as a starting point for a digital journey through our history as well as the physical location to take a marked walk along interesting locations. In our discussions with Unesco Programme Management, Valkenswaard Marketing, the VVV and Centrummanagement, interest was shown to connect everything with each other.
The creation of the Market Pavilion
Collaboration and support
Financing
The financing of this Citizens' Initiative for the construction and operation of the market pavilion will be realised, as with the originally chosen kiosk, by donations from the population, supported by companies through sponsorship.
In addition, 60% (169,000 euros) of the design, construction and furnishing costs are covered by the subsidy still awarded by the province, in collaboration with the EU from the subsidy project Leader border corridor N69. We want to move forward because the subsidy expires on 31.12.2024.
New application to the Municipality
On May 5, 2024, the foundation, supported by the NCI, submitted an application referring to the July 2, 2020 amendment.
After tense weeks and many discussions with stakeholders, municipal officials and council factions, the redeeming decision was made at the council meeting of 27 June 2024.
The proposal to place the pavilion on the market was adopted with 17 votes in favor and 4 against.
Publicity
You have already been able to read in the press about our plans for the Market Pavilion.
We will also involve the residents of Valkenswaarden in the design of the pavilion, as well as giving space to organisations (Corso, Valkerij) to show their signature in the design and/or on the outside of the pavilion.
On our "contact" page (Marktpaviljoen.nl) we give you the opportunity to give your opinion and recommendations.
And by subscribing to our Newsletters you will be the first to know about new information and events.
A WhatsApp group "Marktpaviljoen" has also been created and we can also be reached via the email account info@marktpaviljoen.nl. and secretariaat@marktpaviljoen.nl
Finally
With the current year-round Market Pavilion, we are creating a unique meeting and information point where (cultural) activities will also take place.
The programming of this is in the good hands of Jacques van Gerven and Frank van Daal!
In this way, the pavilion contributes to strengthening the mutual ties with residents and visitors, strengthening community life and improving the appearance of the village.
Because of the Citizens' Initiative, the Market Pavilion is by and for the residents of Valkenswaard!
Members of the Market Pavilion
We are grateful for the input and expertise during several NCI meetings by Bart Jansens of de Rooie Sok, Vincent van Herk, member of the Cultural Council and UNESCO Programme Manager and Ad van Veldhoven of Harba Lorifa, on behalf of the Horeca.
