November 1880, an organization called Plaatselijk Belang () was established to aid the inhabitants of Gorredijk. For example, the local population could borrow money from the organization and Plaatselijk Belang involved itself in issues in and around town, such as the connection to the railway network of the . Surviving to the present, the organization remains closely involved and along with local interest groups in neighboring communities, forms a crucial dialog partner of the municipality of Opsterland. The organization periodically consults with the municipal government and informs those interested in current events via its website. Education Gorredijk is home to three primary schools: de Treffer, Loevestein, and Protestant Christian school de Librije. Secondary education is provided by the Burgemeester Harmsma School and most local students look to Heerenveen and Drachten for their tertiary education needs. Museum Opsterlân is also housed in a former school building, which was constructed in 1887 to a design by architect Jacobus Anthonie Meessen and served as a primary school until 1955. Town center Gorredijk is a center for retail and employment for surrounding communities. The town originated as a linear settlement along the with the most important streets being the Brouwerswal, Kerkewal, Molenwal and Langewal. The latter is crossed by the Hoofdstraat or main street. Neighborhoods such as Het Leantsje, De Helling and De Vlecke were built in the early 1970s. In the 1980s, streets such as Spinnerij, Brouwerij, Wolkammerij, Weverij, Mouterij and Kuperij were developed. The most recent construction project is the Loevestein plan, which has closed significant distance between Gorredijk and the nearby village of Lippenhuizen. Market From 1694 on, Gorredijk has been given the right to hold a weekly market. The former spring and autumn livestock market also dates back to those days, when cattle left or returned to the barns, respectively. The farmers then brought their butter to the weigh house at the Boterwaag and their grains to the commodity market at the Korenbeurs. Both currently serve as office buildings. As the town grew, industry kept pace. There have been three shipyards, a rope-making shop and two lime kilns in Gorredijk, though none remain at present. The former village of Kortezwaag had remained a farming community through the centuries. Nightlife Gorredijk had a dance hall in the 1970s, but the venue was shuttered alongside a music club on the industrial estate. Most youngsters from the town go out in Heerenveen, Drachten,