Our new roof

Twenty years since the renovation of the four buildings in Amsterdam to create the IIRE in 1981, we are proud to say that we have a new roof. The work began in April 2001 and was finally completed at the beginning of July. Roofing here in Amsterdam, as undoubtedly elsewhere, is a very expensive operation. The funds for this project came from the legacy of a person in the United States who specifically named the IIRE in his will. Given the well-known tendency of Amsterdam weather to include rain, the new roof is a well appreciated contribution.

Further renovations necessary

The four buildings that make up the IIRE are in generally good condition but as with all buildings, they require a good deal of maintenance. Over the last years, we have installed a new translation system - as the old one became defunct - and a new smoke and fire alarm system at the insistence of the Amsterdam fire department. Last summer, the back of the building was painted and 'the Swiss Team' and a number of young volunteers carried out a number of important general repairs. This year we have done a complete survey of the building in order to identity all of the minor repairs that are necessary after twenty years of use. In the coming year we hope to find the resources - both in terms of personnel and money - to bring these buildings up to the good standard they deserve. One major expense will be renovating the living and recreation rooms by replacing the worn-out couches and chairs and acquiring a new TV and VCR.