Future of the West Friesland theme park: Dispute over planned transformation!

Future of the West Friesland theme park: Dispute over planned transformation!

Tonight is the future of Recreation Park West Friesland at the center of a meeting of the Opmeer municipal council. The discussion revolves around the possibility of converting the former “De Perelaer” into a residential environment, which is causing a lot of controversy among the park's residents.

A ragged picture emerges from the owners: there is an inviting Spandoek with the inscription “No housing development, the amusement park must stay” hanging at the park entrance. A newly founded association called “Together we stand strong” has already formed against the planned changes and started a petition. According to anonymous sources, there is a lot of tension among local residents - opinions about the future of the park are diametrically opposed and lead to heated debates.

Disagreement and emotions

The statements of an anonymous resident make the situation clear: “The discussion is emotional and opinions here are strongly divided,” he explains. There are reports of ongoing unrest and mutual accusations weighing on the community. The physical conditions of the car parks – from well-maintained to neglected – also reflect the different realities of life. A significant proportion of the vehicles inhabiting the area come from Bulgaria and Poland, which indicates a permanent illegal living situation.

The West-Friesland amusement park was already classified as non-vital in 2019 and 2025, which further fuels the current debate. In 2019, a memorandum of understanding between the homeowners' association board and the community was considered to transform the site. But a lack of confidence in the conduct of the vote leads to further complications, as another resident notes: “There are problems, but I think the negative perception of the park is exaggerated.”

Political decisions are pending

How West Frisia Praat reports, the municipal administration must also take into account the results of several workshops and meetings that have focused on the transformation of the park. These workshops should provide a clear guideline for the design of public spaces as part of the intended transformation. But the final plans remain vague so far.

The municipality has already made proposals not to convert the amusement park into a residential complex, which could concern the transfer of migrant workers or the creation of agile business parks. This preliminary decision could set a fundamental course for further development.

Wethouder Herman ter Veen called on council members to approve a new memorandum of understanding that would allow the owners to continue to remain in the theme park as long as they are owners. However, this does not mean that the development of the new residential environment will be put on hold. After the latest developments, there seems to be a great need to finally steer the complex situation into a stable direction.

The outcome of this heated debate is eagerly awaited by many in the district. Whether the voices of residents will be heard or whether the plans to transform the park will become a reality is still up in the air.