Deurne (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Groot Schijn sports hall in Deuren was inaugurated today, despite already being in use for months, marking a key milestone for local sports facilities.
The GO! school group’s general director, Danielle Van Ast, is thrilled with the new sports hall.
“During the day, the hall is used by students of the GO! Spectrum school, and in the evenings, Antwerp sports clubs can also use it,”
says Alderman for Sports Stijn De Rooster (N-VA).
“We often have to play sports in halls that aren’t actually sports halls, so this new hall is very important to us. I believe that sports contribute to good discipline and the right work attitudes.”
The new sports hall has solar panels and is well-insulated. A heat pump and underfloor heating provide all of the heating.
Although it has been in use for a few months, the new hall was formally inaugurated today.
“The new sports hall is high-tech and therefore very sustainable,”
says Alderman for Sports Stijn De Rooster.
The fact that locals can use the new sports hall is very important to Van Ast.
“It’s incomprehensible that sports facilities and playgrounds are sometimes unused for two months,”
says Van Ast.
“The infrastructure must be sufficiently equipped for this, with easy access and good supervision. We still have some developing to do.”
According to De Rooster, the neighborhood is taken into consideration when designing new schools and sports facilities in Antwerp.
“We then sit down together to discuss the neighborhood’s needs for sports infrastructure. We’ve already built 16 new sports halls, and two more are planned.”
The alderman claims that the Groot Schijn sports hall in Deuren is an excellent illustration of shared space.
“During the day, students from the GO! Spectrums school come here to enjoy themselves. They have a sports program, so that’s a great fit. In the evenings, Antwerp sports clubs can also use the building.”
“Together with the schools, the city currently manages more than 40 sports halls, but not all of them are in the same state of repair,”
explains De Rooster.
“In the coming years, we will therefore be investing in our own sports halls to get them back in top condition. Some will get new restrooms and new locker rooms, because that’s really necessary.”
How has the hall impacted sports programs in Deurne since it began operating?
No specific data confirms the functional impact of the Groot Schijn sports hall on Deurne programs since its awaited spring 2025 opening, as recent reports concentrate on construction rather than operation issues.
The 3,000 m² installation supports GO! seminaries and clubs with a main 20x40m hall for ball sports and slimnastics, plus lower halls, addressing Deurne’s inner sports deficit amid demesne rejuvenescence.
Integration with Sportoase Groot Schijn’s being pools, ice rinks, and events could boost academy PE, club training, and community conditioning like platoon structures, though quantified participation increases remain unreported. Funded by over€ 6 million from the City of Antwerp, Flemish government, and GO! education, the hall addresses Deurne’s need for inner sports structure amid demesne rejuvenescence, though no verified induction on 9 December 2025 appears in recent reports.
