IJsbaan 455 (2022)

Commissioned by RED‑O Development BV heeft BAAC BV Archeology and Building History an archaeological test trench investigation carried out at IJsbaan 455 in Gorinchem, at the location of the former Wellant College in the Lingewijk. 

Test trench research Ice rink 455

The reason for the research is the proposed redevelopment of the school and the surrounding area into an apartment complex with parking spaces. The field research was carried out on 17 February 2022. Although the research was carried out in accordance with the current, established policy of the municipality of Gorinchem, the archaeological expectation and policy map recently updated. However, this new map is still in concept and has not yet been approved by the municipal council. The archaeological expectation on the new map at the level of the plan area has been adjusted compared to the old data. For the largest part of the plan area, a low expectation applies on the new map for all periods (bowl area van de Linge) and for the extreme eastern edge of the plan area a moderate expectation for archaeological values ​​from the late middle ages en new era (Arkelse dike, on riverbank deposits). In addition, the entire plan area is located within an area with a very high archaeological expectation of conflict-related matters (WWII).

No archaeological values

The test trench investigation confirms the location of the plan area in a bowl area, where the easternmost edge of the plan area is located at the foot of the riverbank of the Linge. In the southeastern part of the plan area there may be a crevasse in the subsoil. However, the soil here has been disturbed deep into the archaeological level. No archaeological values ​​have been found anywhere in the plan area, not even from WWII. BAAC therefore recommends releasing the plan area for further development.