Anyone want to cultivate in a Dutch pool?

A former swimming pool in the Dutch town of Hoofddorp is being converted into a temporary facility for creative entrepreneurs. The building is marked for demolition in a few years’ time, but until then it’s made available for other purposes.

One of the available pools.

Urban Farming
Considering the recent RotterZwam project, it has become clear that former swimming pools can offer interesting opportunities for horticulture. The former Tropicana recreational pool is now the site of urban mushroom cultivation. "But it need not be mushrooms," says Ewout van der Weij of Hoofddorp municipality. "Any form of urban cultivation or vertical farming can be a possible venture." With Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam nearby, the marketing opportunities are aplenty. Van der Weij: "But the place isn’t limited to horticulture. We are open to any solid idea."

The minimal lease is 1.5 years, but there are options for longer use if the venture is successful. The local government doesn’t offer subsidies, but other forms of support (like network events) are available.

More information:
Ewout van der Weij
06 – 3913139106 – 39131391
ewoutvanderweij@xs4all.nl