A Fine Story continued

This center, 'De Zandkuil', was initially intended as a meeting space for the union, but later also as a gathering place for the youth. Van Baren’s attempt to organize young workers was new and successful. Due to this success, it eventually led to the opening of the holiday resort 'Ons Centrum' (Our Center).

Ons Centrum

Ons Centrum marketed itself as a place with an informal, cozy atmosphere, including a dormitory and laundry room, surrounded by wooded walls and a fireplace for extra comfort. The center was primarily intended for union members, with only 40 sleeping places. Activities were organized, useful topics were discussed, and there was a camp library. Members were required to bring their own sheets and could rent blankets for 1 guilder per week. Families of the members were also welcome, and more and more visitors came.

The union had gathered the founding capital. The costs of Ons Centrum had to be partly covered by the income raised from participants in the holiday weeks. Ons Centrum was not allowed to place a long-term financial burden on the union. Through the departments, a weekly voluntary contribution was requested. Thousands of members were willing to donate to the ‘own’ holiday resort in the ‘2 cents per week fund’. In 1951, it was also possible to purchase 5 hectares of forest, increasing the total area. The center was expanded with sleeping spaces, cabins, and a recreation hall.

There were still plenty of activities from the CNV (Confederation of Dutch Trade Unions). Especially the summer holiday weeks were well attended, with an average of two hundred guests per week, including many young people. A certain atmosphere emerged that could be described as unique. Many guests returned annually to the holiday destination in Driebergen. Meetings, training sessions, and courses from the trade union movement were increasingly organized.

More and More Changes

The major driving force behind Ons Centrum laid the first stone in 1969 and kicked off the construction of a stone accommodation. While guests initially settled for 4-person sleeping cabins and 20-person dormitories, there was an increasing demand for more luxurious single and double hotel rooms. The demand for meeting rooms was enormous. More was built, and almost annually renovated. Guest occupancy remained optimal.

The turning point came at the end of the 1980s. Many union courses and training activities were increasingly held at the subsidized SBI in Doorn. The unions began holding meetings in their own offices. Union activities at Ons Centrum dropped to 10% of the total occupancy. Ultimately, it became clear that there was a future for Ons Centrum, but a major change in the organizational structure and facilities was necessary.

The New Hotel & Conference Center

The new concept opened in 2000 as Hotel & Conference Center de Bergse Bossen. Much attention was paid to creating a better and more pleasant appearance for the entire accommodation. The hotel increasingly became visible to passersby. At the time, there were 74 hotel rooms available 7 days a week for conference visitors, hotel guests, and holidaymakers. New developments emerged, such as the restaurant and the opening of the Grand Café.