SSH&-complex is taking shape and gets named ‘Nemea’

Sports, Greece and Nimma

It is tradition that when SSH& builds a new complex, we ask tenants think along on the building's name. For the complex on the Toernooiveld, we received more than 700 entries. The jury, consisting of Thijs Kersten, campus poet at Radboud University, Marloes van Dalen, secretary of the Radboud Creative Collective, and Marlies Brethouwer, SSH& housing employee, chose 'Nemea' from all these entries.

During the gathering, Kees Stunnenberg, director of SSH&, symbolically handed a cheque worth €500 to winner Yoshi, who then explained how he came to his entry himself. 'I wanted to make the link with the place where we are standing now, the Toernooiveld. In ancient Greece, the city of Nemea hosted the Nemean Games. A sports tournament, similar to the Olympic Games. In addition, Nemea is known from Greek mythology as the place where Heracles completed his first work: slaughtering the lion of Nemea. I like the fact that Nemea also sounds like Nimma, the nickname of our beautiful city of Nijmegen.'

'First' stone and time capsule

The gathering on the Toernooiveld was a celebration of the installation of the 'first unit', similar to the celebration of the 'first stone' in traditional building projects. René Jansen, project manager at SSH&: 'Of course, the laying of the first stone never really revolves around the actual first stone either, so it doesn't feel strange to gather here today. I like how the project is really taking shape now, like a big Lego construction kit.'

Five generations of students

That 'construction kit' is a now tried and tested concept, Hein Trebbe told the 25 or so attendees on behalf of developer Trebbe-Leyten. On the campus of the University of Twente, these units have proven to be ideal for student housing. The shape, size and quality of the houses, combined with the temporary nature of fifteen years and the speed of construction, help solve the housing shortage among students.

Although Nemea is indeed a temporary complex, Kees Stunnenberg stressed the value of the project for student housing. 'Fifteen years is temporary in the construction world, but about five generations of students can live here in this fantastic location. I am grateful for this ground made available by Radboud University. And for the pleasant cooperation with developer Trebbe-Leyten and contractor Poelman who are realising the residences. Together we are taking a great step in the right direction today to go against the room shortage in Nijmegen.'

Passing the baton

After the 'first unit' was in place, Kees Stunnenberg (SSH&), Hein Trebbe and Julia Berkenbosch (Trebbe-Leyten) and Koen Fleuren (Radboud University) placed a time capsule under it. 'Through this time capsule, we symbolically pass on the baton to the team who, in fifteen years' time, will remove the temporary housing again and take it to its new destination,' René Jansen explains.