The Brussels-Capital Region has approved the launch of the tender for a new open-air public pool to be built on the roof of the former abattoir site in Anderlecht — a project which has been in development for years.
The necessity for such a facility has increased in tandem with the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the capital. According to The Brussels Times, Brussels is currently the only European city with a population of over one million that does not have a permanent outdoor public swimming pool.
Plans for the swimming complex were approved by the Brussels regional government in 2022 following a proposal by Pascal Smet (then Brussels Secretary of State for Urbanism) as part of the wider transformation of the historic Abattoir site in Cureghem.
Over the years, the former slaughterhouse has evolved into a bustling hub for markets, food production, and cultural events. The underground Cureghem Cellars also hosted many memorable events before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smet said the new swimming complex would “make a huge difference to the quality of life for thousands of Brusseleers”. However, despite widespread support for the pool, its construction was put on hold for years while the authorities finalised the legal, financial and operational details. The project involves the Brussels-Capital Region, the Flemish Community Commission (VGC), the municipality of Anderlecht and the Brussels Urban Development Corporation.
Things are finally moving again. Brussels Secretary of State for Urban Renewal Ans Persoons (Vooruit) announced that the tender is set to be launched following approval from the regional government.
“Cooling down should not be a privilege for those who have the space or the means,” said Persoons. “The city is only getting hotter, so this project is becoming increasingly important,” she told Bruzz.
Construction, however, is not expected to begin before 2029 at the earliest.
The project is being developed under a DBFMO (Design, Build, Finance, Maintain and Operate) contract, a public-private partnership, under which the successful bidder will be responsible for every aspect of the project, from design and financing to operation and maintenance. The contract is expected to be awarded in 2028.
Around €4 million has already been secured from the VGC and the Brussels-Capital Region, and preparatory work, including reinforcing the Manufakture roof, has been completed.
The pools will be located on top of Manufakture, a new food production hub that is currently under construction on the Abattoir site. The refrigerated rooms used by the businesses below, which naturally generate heat and energy as they keep food cold, will not go to waste and will be used to help warm the pool water.
Plans include a 25-metre indoor pool for schools and sports clubs, a smaller teaching pool, and an additional 25-metre outdoor pool, which will be open throughout the summer. The complex will also feature recreational and relaxation areas with views across the Brussels skyline.
Once operational, the facility is expected to be open for at least 3,500 hours over 50 weeks of the year, welcoming schools, sports clubs, and members of the public. Admission prices will be in line with other public pools in Brussels, with reduced rates for schools and certain groups.
With almost 400,000 visitors expected annually, it could become one of the capital’s busiest public facilities.
Beyond Anderlecht
While Brussels, historically, had many outdoor swimming spots, these gradually disappeared during the second half of the 20th century, leaving residents largely reliant on private facilities and sports clubs. A situation unlikely to change before 2030.
This is not the first proposal, and previous proposals have proved less successful. Plans for a natural swimming pond in Neerpede have stalled due to objections from local residents regarding potential noise and damage to wildlife. Meanwhile, an ambitious 350-metre pool project at Quai des Péniches was abandoned due to a lack of funding. The city and Port of Brussels are now considering a more modest alternative: a single supervised swimming lane in the canal.
Until then, the nearest options remain outside the capital, including Renipont beach in Lasne, IJsevijver in Overijse, Hofstade beach, and the provincial domain in Kessel-Lo.
