Tough cost for construction crew housing Maritime Academy Harlingen

This morning a milestone was celebrated at the Maritime Academy in Harlingen. Indeed, the highest point of the new building housing was reached. In recent months concrete has been poured, floors laid and walls erected on the building site successfully and on schedule. The smooth progress was partly due to the pleasant cooperation with Aannemingsmaatschappij Friso, part of Friso Bouwgroep in Sneek. A good reason for the school to put the construction team and subcontractors in the limelight.

For once the celebration of the highest point was not traditionally done at height, but from the first floor. Housing Policy Advisor Marieke Jansen (Dunamare Education), Director Arjen Mintjes (Maritime Academy Harlingen) and Director Henk Dedden (Friso Bouwgroep) officially placed a flagpole with a flag. With elevator roof and all, the three flags were then lifted some 20 meters into the air using a large construction crane. Director Henk Dedden: "The construction and maritime sectors do not differ much from each other and we get to know each other even better through this project. The youth who come to live here learn more than just boating, they are technically skilled. So we are building, should they choose a different profession in the future, our own future as well."

After the official act, the Maritime Academy Harlingen's own kitchen offered a hearty lunch with a maritime touch, the archetypal Dutch captains' dinner. On the site of the yet-to-be-built new restaurant, a pop-up construction restaurant was set up for the various masons, grouters, electricians and carpenters. The meal of marrowfat peas, bacon, mustard and pearl onions was to their liking.  

Johan Visser and his fellow cooks are used to cooking for large groups. Three meals a day pass through the hands of the kitchen staff daily for the 150 resident pupils and students on the housing. "Coming up with healthy and delicious meals every week is a fun challenge. And of course we will do that again in the new restaurant."

Director Arjen Mintjes is pleased with the progress. "Together we are proud that, without too many setbacks, we have already come this far with this project. And with this milestone we are another step closer to completion in March 2024. With modern housing with plenty of personal comfort, we expect to attract even more vmbo and mbo students to our maritime studies. They will then have 100% chance of a nice job and well-paid work."