History of Papendal
Papendal from 1959 – 2010
1959 - One national sports centre?
During the foundation meeting of the Nederlandse Sport Federatie (Dutch Sports Federation), on the 24th of January 1959 the question arose whether there is a need for one national sport centre, due to the development of sports in the Netherlands. In March 1959 a plan was presented with the goal to establish a fully equipped sports centre for national objectives, education, training and scientific research.
1963: Purchase 93,5 hectares of land
In November 1963, an area of 93,5 hectares was bought in the municipality of Arnhem. In 1965 the site was expanded to 123 hectares and the construction took of.
1971: Opening by princes Beatrix
On the 7th of May 1971, Princes Beatrix opened the National Sport Centre Papendal. Papendal existed of a restaurant, sport hotel, sports hall, lawns, camping place, centre of medical science, athletics track and a laboratory for research on grasses and other surfaces.
1972: Lotto/ToTo
In 1972 with sponsor money of the “Stichting Nationale Sport Totalisator” a swimming pool and a baseball field was bought.
1980: Paralympics on Papendal
Through the arrival of the Paralympics to Papendal in 1980 the old main entrance, a wood path was renewed. The new entrance is situated next to Hotel West End.
1982: Prince Claus opens hotel- and meeting accommodation
The instruction, conference and housing accommodation needed an extension. In 1982 the official opening of the renovations was performed by Prince Claus. In the following years the capacity of the restaurant and the kitchen were improved. Moreover, a renovation of the new meeting and instruction wing and artificial turf fields was accomplished.
1989: NSF and NOC move from The Hague to Papendal
On the 5th of December 1989 NSF and NOC moved into the new head office on Papendal. The organisation ‘Nederlands Olympisch Comité*Nederlandse Sport Federatie’ (NOC*NSF) was formalised.
1993: Multifunctional hall and 3-star hotel
In 1993 the Athene conference hall with the adjacent 3-star hotel was opened. The Athene conference hall is a multifunctional congress and event hall. Moreover a number of meeting and conference halls are expanded, which is a positive development for the possibilities for business and sportive clients.
2004: Opening of the Sydney conference hall
In the basement underneath the Athene conference hall, a new conference hall was opened. The Sydney conference hall is multifunctional and is suitable for exhibitions and parties.
2004 – 2008: Renovation and rebuilding
In the period of 4 years renovations and building follow-up: the meeting halls were renovated, the bar Dug Out and the adjacent terrace were totally renewed, and the restaurant on the First Floor of the building were totally cultivated. It received the name Restaurant 20 28 with the unique concept of Healthy and Sharing. In addition, the Athene conference hall got a facelift.
2009: New 4-starhotel and guest elevator on the terrace
In January the 4-star hotel with 75 rooms and wellness opens. Moreover the building of the elevator is completed, and the guests can go by elevator from the bar ‘Dug out’ to Restaurant 20 28 on the First Floor. Also the internal spaces of Papendal Hotel and Conference Centre are renewed, including the stockroom, the cold rooms and a new lift for goods.
2010: Winner Dutch Hotel Award
In June 2010, Papendal is rewarded with the Dutch Hotel Award. Every year the Dutch Hotel Award is handed out to the best hotel Management Team in the Netherlands. For one year, Papendal can present itself as the best Hotel of the Netherlands. Papendal was selected from dozens of hotels by a professional jury who judged on motivation, creativity and decisiveness.
2011: 40 year Anniversary of Papendal
Papendal excisted 40 years in 2011 and that was enough reason for a party! In a large tent circus artists gave a spectacular performance for hundreds of guests. This festive afternoon ended in the indoor conference centre 'Athene' with music, food and drinks.