The new Utrecht poptempel TivoliVredenburg has become a huge financial burden for the municipality. The building is 58 million euros more expensive than budgeted, and there are too few visitors. And every visitor who comes to the venue must also devote an additional 5 euro.
According to a damning report by the Utrecht Court. In 2006 the cost of the new building was estimated at 96.6 million. Finally fell the property with 156 million much more expensive.
Construction was much more expensive because the Great Hall of Ancient Music Centre Vredenburg had to stay on the council retained. Further deterioration in the market during the tender process. Steel prices rose and the soil had to be cleaned as well.
Additional risk of 9 million
The Court further notes that the town once again runs the additional risk of 9 million euros by the way construction costs are financed. The municipality wants to a "substantial portion" of the building costs paid from the operating budget of the music, but also falling against dirty.
They note that for 5.1 million euro for building costs actually still is no cover found. Furthermore, are not guaranteed rental income for the next ten years, and the new Tivoli itself can not yet absorb financial setbacks.
Squabbling and mistrust
Cooperation between the municipality and the music partners was also far from ideal. Because the music but difficult partners could work together, "continued the preparations for the new organization and operating well behind the construction process."
Among other causes the budget to nowhere around. The report shows that the music on every visitor five euro should focus. It should also be said that once the church through all subsidy per visitor 16.50 euros bijlegt. If the council also would again absorb the expected operating deficit rises to nearly 22 euros per visitor.
Municipality piled error upon error
According to the report, the municipality has also made huge mistakes. The municipal management and control of the project from the beginning was not unequivocal.
The municipality has had more attention to the construction than for organizational development. Also has expertise in the Department of Cultural Affairs is not inserted in the elaboration of cultural ambition and the expected building sponsorship does not even come close to. The municipality counted on nine million, it has now won only 3.9 million.
The Court also points out that the then mayor and the municipal participated in the board of the Foundation's Music Palace, one of the parties concerned. As a result they had a double cap.
Although according to the study, the participation of the town clerk had a positive influence on the process the council has failed to communicate with the Board, whereas this should have been done. This decision was also at odds with the agreed rules.
"The National Audit Office takes the view that the council has not been informed only inappropriate in this action, but also that the power of not observe the council regarding related parties. The Board and, in particular, the alderman for culture and the town clerk had keenly aware that this situation of dual roles is uncomfortable, basically undesirable and therefore had to be temporary. "
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties