Nieuwe Winterswijksche Courant, 27 February 1967
Demolition of buildings on the Market Square – New town hall and cultural center on the site of the old festival building.
The municipality of Aalten has commissioned an ambitious structural plan that will give the Aalten village center a completely different appearance. According to this plan, several well-known buildings on the Market Square, including the old town hall (see photo), will have to disappear. In their place, a kiosk, bus station, and small shops will be established.
The old festival building on the Pol will have to disappear according to the plan, and a modern new Town Hall and a Cultural Center are envisioned for this location.
Furthermore, new streets have been projected, which will require quite a few breakthroughs. Realizing all these plans will likely take several decades. But in any case, the residents of Aalten will then know what to expect.
It is sound policy to guide the future growth of the village in a timely, well-considered manner. One remaining question is whether the old Town Hall is actually allowed to be demolished; “Monumentenzorg” (Heritage Netherlands) might object.
The latest insights regarding the construction of a new post office point toward new construction on the site of the existing office. The grounds near the monastery, which were initially intended for this purpose, will soon serve as a parking lot.
Land is available north of the Ringweg for a general Christian hospital that may be assigned to Aalten. Expansion of the industrial estate is possible in a northerly direction up to the railway line, and finally, land is available near the Keizersbeek where farmers who are “displaced” by the land consolidation can settle.
