Asylum center set for fmr. Gouda mega-mosque location

The Prince Willem-Alexander barracks in Gouda will soon be turned into an asylum center. Earlier this year there were plans to use the building for a large mosque, but these plans were eventually rejected by the city council. This is according to a letter the Gouda municipality sent to the local residents, NOS reports. The central agency for the reception of asylum seekers COA made an arrangement with the owner of the building, the Rijksvastgoedbedrijf, on the use of the barracks as an asylum center. The COA asked the municipality to participate with the center's arrival and the municipality agreed. The municipality feels that it has the responsibility to make an appropriate contribution to the shelter for refugees. The barracks will be put into use as a refugee shelter in the second half of next year. It will eventually house about 500 asylum seekers for up to 10 years. The municipality and COA will hold an information evening for residents living around the former barracks.