The construction of the new WOW building was recently agreed upon and signed in a cooperation agreement between customer Onroerend Goed BV and executing parties Smiemans Projecten and Verkade Klimaat. And not just that: after quite some criticism, it was decided to change the name to the World Horti Center.
Signing the agreement between Onroerend Goed BV and Verkade Klimaat, left to right bottom row: Peet van Adrichem (Demokwekerij Westland), John van Adrichem (PvA Financieel), Thomas Collignon (Verkade Klimaat), Johan Kos (Proeftuin Zwaagdijk), Mark Zwinkels (GFFX). Left to right top row: Wim van der Valk (Verkade Klimaat) and Ron van Luijk (AABnl).
Smiemans Projecten will take care of the construction of the superstructure of the innovation centre. This will consist of a glass greenhouse construction which will be built on top of the substructure built by Eekhout Bouw. It is expected that they will begin construction in week 12 (mid-March).
As soon as the building is wind and waterproof (late May), Verkade Klimaat will start putting in the heating installation. During that period, the interior of the building will also be started.
Prior to signing the agreement came the selection of the tender procedure by means of drafting specifications, terms, quotation comparisons and attending tender talks. This entire process was supervised by AABnl.
At this time, the foundation beams have been poured with concrete and the piping is being placed under the floor. At the end of week 9, it is expected they will start to pour the ground floor. In week 12, the steel construction and the roof will be started on.
New name: World Horti Centre
The knowledge and innovation centre of greenhouse horticulture, which was known as WOW until recently, will be rechristened as the World Horti Centre. Because of the ever-increasing international character of the Dutch greenhouse horticultural sector, the need arose, from the broad business world, to add the terms World and Horti to the name, according to the organisation in charge of the centre.