SRRC Lenie ‘t Hart is definitely staying in Pieterburen. There, the facilities for seal rehabilitation will undergo drastic remodelling and substantial extensions. This will be paid for by the van Klooster Foundation in The Hague. The foundation has stated that the financing is only meant for rehabilitation and seal care in Pieterburen.
In order to be able to safeguard optimal care and rehabilitation of sick and needy seals now and in the future, the SRRC’s facilities must be improved to meet the newest standards. The present accommodation – last adapted in 1993 – is no longer satisfactory.
There is not enough room to satisfactorily house and care for the rehabilitated seals. The present situation offers accommodation for a maximum of 80 seals a year, while space is needed for a minimum of 250 seals a year.
The cost of the renovation of the seal facilities is over three million Euros, which will be funded by the van Klooster foundation. Apart from that, the SRRC is looking for sponsors to pay for gas, electricity and water (among other things), because those costs weigh heavily on the yearly budget.
For a long time it looked as if the SRRC would opt for the construction of a new building in Delfzijl. The van Klooster Foundation’s offer caused the SRRC Foundation’s board of directors and the board of trustees to decide to stay in Pieterburen. The van Klooster Foundation has stipulated that the council of de Marne (the district in which Pieterburen lies) must cooperate in the supply of necessary licences, so that the renovation can be started in the summer.
Even though the SRRC is very thankful for the efforts made by the council of Delfzijl, it has become clear that it is impossible to come up with the 13 million Euros that are necessary for the construction of a new building in this city.
Besides the renovation of the seal rehabilitation facilities, the visitor’s centre in Pieterburen will also be taken in hand. The mayor has promised to try to find a way to pay for this in cooperation with the Groningen provincial council. It is expected that the renovation will start before the summer. During the renovation the SRRC will stay open, so that everyone can get a close look at the seals that are being rehabilitated.02-12-2009 Source: SRRC Lenie 't Hart
