The Brussels government approved the proposal by Brussels Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort and Brussels State Secretary for Urbanism Pascal Smet to build an indoor and outdoor swimming pool on the roof of the Manufakture building on the Abattoir site in Anderlecht.
Public outdoor swimming facilities have been a sensitive issue in Brussels for a long time. An issue that returns in the growing heat of every summer. Citizen collective “Pool is Cool” has been creating a positive vibe around the topic for several years and, with public support, it even created a temporary open-air swimming pool along the canal in Anderlecht in recent summers.
This is a beautiful Christmas gift for all Brusselers. I worked long and hard to obtain this decision and am obviously delighted that we will finally build a public open-air swimming pool in Brussels. Young and old will be able to swim in a unique place, with a stunning view of the city.
Pascal Smet, Brussels State Secretary for Urbanism
“I am very pleased with this decision. Indeed, it will result in making the slaughterhouse site even more accessible to the public. It will also meet a great need for recreational and educational opportunities. The planned swimming pool at this location will help create the new dynamics that the Region is striving for,” said Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort.
In May 2021, the Brussels government approved Vervoort and Smet’s proposal to launch a feasibility study for a multi-purpose swimming pool (with indoor and outdoor sections) on the Abattoir site in Anderlecht. This study was assigned to the Urban Development Corporation (SAU) and its results were presented to the Brussels Government in October 2021.
In February 2022, the Brussels Region issued a planning permit for the Manufakture building on the Abattoir site in Anderlecht. The project included structural reinforcement to allow the building to support a swimming pool on its roof, as well as house food producing and processing companies. The combination of food producing and processing companies and a swimming pool is no coincidence. Cooling the rooms for these activities release a lot of heat, which will be used to maintain a pleasant water temperature.
It is important that our young Brusselers learn to swim. The implementation of this project will definitely contribute to that, given the lack of swimming pool water in the Brussels Region.
Sven Gatz, Brussels Minister of Education and Schools
“It is important that our young Brusselers learn to swim. This does not only improve their health, but also their safety. We must also continue to ensure affordable swimming for every child and easily accessible swimming pools. The implementation of this project will definitely contribute to that, given the lack of swimming pool water in the Brussels Region”, added Brussels Minister of Education and Schools, Sven Gatz.
The project’s total cost, with indoor and outdoor pool, is estimated at 20.2 million euros. For the reinforcement works, urban.brussels and the Flemish Community Commission (VGC) made available 2,127,000 euros and 1,800,000 euros respectively. The Flemish government also supports the project and decided to release 3.4 million euros, confirmed Flemish Minister of Domestic Administration Bart Somers. For the remaining funds, several authorities are joining forces. Including the municipality of Anderlecht, which is standing up as a partner in the project, since the needs are great for the surrounding schools.
