When strategic advisor Ingrid Wijk spoke to UM staff as part of a preliminary exploration of plans for the building, she realised that nearly everyone had memories of the Bonbonnière. “A gala, a performance they went to as a child, a carnival session.” During her own walkthrough of the building, she also saw it is a special building. “The former grandeur of the theatre is all around us, even though there isn’t a single seat left in the main auditorium. And when you walk into the old theatre café, it’s like walking into a café from the 1920s.”
Many people in Maastricht feel sad the building hasn’t been in use for years. It is one of the reasons why the council – who officially own the building, although Heineken is still the current lease holder – has asked various organisation, including UM, to propose new plans for the building.
Belonging to the city
The culmination of Wijk’s conversations, in her role as an adviser on behalf of UM on the supervisory committee for HERMON Heritage, which is looking into the feasibility of plans, is a proposal for a “house of culture, knowledge – specifically more than just science, and more than just UM – and community. The advisors then tried to make this more concrete in conversations with UM staff members involved in events, education, art, and science communication. How do you connect themes such as innovation and culture? It should be a unique place, not just any old conference centre. And aimed at a wider audience. The Bonbonnière belongs to the city and its citizens. For example, visitors could submit research questions, or watch a researcher at work.”
No foregone conclusion
Investigation - the 62,500 euros costs of which will be equally divided between the municipality and UM - over the coming months will determine whether the idea is feasible. After which, the proposal will be presented to the municipal council, which reservered 30 million for the remodelling. While the municipality supports UM’s investigations – they are also represented in the supervisory committee – it does not mean that it’s a foregone conclusion. Wijk: “The council has asked for a number of proposals, and they will be the ones making the final decision.” One thing is already certain: it will not simply be turned into offices. “That would require serious renovations and that isn’t possible. It is listed as a national monument and thus, protected.”