Halle (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Scouts Sint-Rochus will receive new construction facilities from Halle City Authorities. The current premises have become entirely worn down, although the youth movement struggled to gather enough funds to build new facilities.
Halle‘s city authorities decided to build new facilities for Scouts Sint-Rochus because their existing structures need modernisation alongside size expansion to accommodate the expanding youth population. The Biezeweide premises have served Scouts Sint-Rochus for more than 30 years, although builders intended them for short-term usage.
The growing number of scouts, at 220 members, pushed the city to manage construction for improved facilities because the current space has become insufficient. Group leader Jochem Weemaels expressed relief, stating,
“We are glad we are getting help.”
“The intention was actually to use those buildings, which used to be a school, for only 10 or 15 years,”
Weemaels explains.
“So we urgently need new premises.”
“We have had many new members since corona,”
Weemaels continues.
“In the meantime, we have clocked up more than 220. They do not all fit in our current premises.”
“Our youngest members can’t play at our premises because there’s just not enough space,”
Says the scout leader.
“Fortunately, they get shelter at the Joepie playground. But of course it would be nicer if we could all stay together. That way, we can start and end the activities together every weekend.”
“We have been trying to save money for a new building ourselves for almost 7 years,”
Says Weemaels.
“But we have not yet succeeded in raising the full amount.”
“As a city, we want to take on the building authority”,
Says Alderman for Youth Louis Van Dionant (CD&V).
“We also see that the current premises are no longer sufficient.”
Alderman for Heritage Sven Pletincx (N-VA) adds:
“Now the young people will once again have the space to do what they are good at: giving children and young people a great time.”
The scouts are relieved that the city is taking the burden off their shoulders.
“We are happy that we are getting help,”
Says group leader Jochem.
“We are already looking forward to seeing what the new premises will look like. Hopefully, they will be multifunctional. That way other youth associations can also use our premises. Maybe we can rent them out to other youth movements to organise weekends or camps.”
“The new infrastructure will not only be functional, but also sustainable and accessible,”
Says alderman Van Dionant. Akabe, the scouting department for children and young people with disabilities, will also be given a place in the new buildings.
“We hope to convey the message that scouting is open to everyone.”
The city council hopes to lay the foundation stone for the new premises this year.
“That is ambitious, but we think it is a feasible goal,”
Van Dionant added.
What is the history behind scouts Sint-Rochus’ need for new premises?
Scouts Sint-Rochus has existed at Biezeweide for more than 30 years, even though the original buildings were constructed to last 10 to 15 years. Time has taken its toll on these facilities as they previously served as a school before becoming unfit for the expanding membership base. Statistical data shows that youth movement membership has risen substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic started, with the current number surpassing 220 participants.
The rapid increase in member numbers has created a severe lack of space because it prevents activities from properly accommodating all members. Scouts pursued independent fundraising toward new premises for almost seven years without achieving their funding objective.
