To accommodate this expansion, some kitchen space has been sacrificed. ‘The 50-year-old kitchen was originally built to serve as an open refectory. As the subsidy for that facility has been withdrawn, we can manage with a much more compact kitchen,’ explains Marco Vogelzang of KSV Franciscus. The litmus test of the new hall is set to take place on Friday 14 August during the AID. The rapper Ronnie Flex will be performing. ‘As a rule, the main act at an open party performs in the pub room on the first floor. Now the ground floor is so large that the performance can be held there,’ reports Vogelzang.
Similarly, the other student societies are taking steps to accommodate more members and partygoers. Last year Ceres replaced the floor in its clubhouse, joined two rooms to create one larger one and installed a circular bar. ‘This has created much more space at the bar without the loss of any floor space,’ tells the new president Jeffrey van den Born. For the time being, SSR-W does not expect to outgrow its premises, but over the past year it has revamped the garden, says chairperson Jorrit Timmers. ‘The outdoor bar has been modernized and the surrounding terrace has been extended.’