Historic grain silo in Oldambt to become cultural hub with €1 million Waddenfonds boost
Residents of Oldambt and visitors can soon explore the rich history of the region’s grain trade at the transformed Watermann grain silo. A €1 million grant from the Waddenfonds will help create an exhibition and observation deck, boosting local tourism and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | €1 million (Waddenfonds) |
| Total Project Cost | Over €3.2 million |
| Additional Funding | €1.49 million (Province of Groningen), €600,000+ (Municipality of Oldambt) |
| Location | Watermann grain silo, Bad Nieuweschans, Oldambt |
| Project Partners | Oldambt Cultural-Historical Centre, DAAD architects, design duo Paul&Albert |
| Expected Opening | Spring 2028 |
| Annual Visitors Target | 14,000 |
| Features | Permanent and rotating exhibitions, observation deck, educational programmes |
| Focus of First Exhibition | 400th anniversary of Bad Nieuweschans |
The Waddenfonds is a government-backed fund aimed at enhancing the economic, ecological, and cultural value of the Wadden Sea region. It supports projects that promote sustainability, tourism, and heritage preservation, often collaborating with local municipalities and provinces. The Municipality of Oldambt is responsible for local development and cultural initiatives, ensuring community-focused projects like this come to fruition.
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Municipality of Oldambt receives €1 million from Waddenfonds for redevelopment of grain silo
The municipality of Oldambt is set to receive a €1 million grant from the Waddenfonds for the redevelopment of the Watermann grain silo in Bad Nieuweschans. The silo will soon feature an engaging exhibition on its history and the story of the grain republic. An observation deck will be added to the top of the building. The total cost of the redevelopment is over €3.2 million. The province of Groningen previously allocated €1.49 million, while the municipality of Oldambt is contributing over €600,000 itself.
Deputy Mayor Ger Klein is pleased with the Waddenfonds contribution. “It’s great that we’ve secured the funding to preserve this important heritage for our municipality and present the history of the grain republic in an appealing way. Now we can really get started!”
Liveability and economy
The Waddenfonds views the project as a boost to liveability and the economy in the border region of northeastern Groningen and Germany. The redevelopment will preserve cultural-historical heritage and give the regional tourism sector a significant boost. This will strengthen local pride and identity.
Experience route
The Watermann grain silo in Bad Nieuweschans is a striking landmark in the landscape of eastern Groningen. The building will showcase the history of the grain republic, agriculture, labour relations in the region, and its connection to the Wadden Sea ports. This will be brought to life in a new experience route within the silo. The project is a collaboration with the Oldambt Cultural-Historical Centre, DAAD architects, and design duo Paul&Albert.
Rotating exhibitions
The restored and renovated grain silo is scheduled to open in spring 2028. In addition to a permanent exhibition on the region’s history, the Watermann will host rotating exhibitions on a variety of topics. The first exhibition will focus on the 400th anniversary of Bad Nieuweschans. Educational programmes for primary and secondary schools on the story of the grain republic will also be developed. The grain silo will be integrated into tourist routes. The municipality of Oldambt hopes the attraction will draw around 14,000 visitors annually.