Denderleeuw (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Starting 2026–2027, Denderleeuw students can swim at Aquatopia Aalst for €1.75 per session. Aldermen Jochen Baert and Yves Desmet support discounts for children, teens, and UiTPAS holders, ensuring safe, affordable lessons.
As VRT News reported, starting in the 2026–2027 school year, residents of Denderleeuw will be able to swim at a discounted rate at Aquatopia in Aalst. They mentioned that the lower price will especially benefit schools in the city. In Flanders, every student is expected to learn to swim by the end of 6th grade.
“But due to the high prices at swimming pools, we’ve noticed that some schools in Denderleeuw aren’t taking their children swimming as often anymore,”
says Alderman for Education Jochen Baert (N-VA).
“Currently, schools have to charge parents €5 per swim session for their students,”
the alderman said.
“That price is a deterrent. As a result, some schools are no longer swimming weekly, but monthly.”
What are the new swimming rates for Denderleeuw students at Aquatopia?
The agreement replaces Denderleeuw’s previous partnership with Liedekerke. Now, the city works with Aalst to offer a better program for schoolchildren. Students from Denderleeuw will attend swimming lessons at Aquatopia on a regular basis. The program ensures that children develop important swimming skills before finishing primary school.
“We’ve been able to reach a favorable agreement with the city of Aalst,”
says Baert.
“We can offer students swimming lessons there for €1.75 per session. That’s a big difference from the €5 per session parents currently have to pay.”
“Starting next school year, we hope that schools in Denderleeuw will start swimming with their students more often, and that swimming lessons can resume as usual,”
said the alderman.
“This way, all children will achieve the target by the sixth grade. Being able to swim well is simply essential.”
Starting January 1st, 2026, residents and members of local sports clubs will be able to use the city’s swimming facilities at a discounted rate.
“They also get access to the Aquatopia fun pool,”
Alderman Baert added.
Children up to 2 years old can enter for free. For children from 3 years old, a swimming session will cost €2.50, while access to the fun pool is set at €8. Sports Alderman Yves Desmet (Vooruit) said the new rates make swimming more accessible for families and encourage children to enjoy the pools regularly.
For teenagers and adults aged 13 and older, a swim will cost €4.50, and entry to the fun pool is €10. The city is also making sure the facilities are inclusive. Paralysed athletes and residents with a UiTPAS card can pay the same discounted rates as children, €2.50 for swimming and €8 for the fun pool.
“I’m pleased that Denderleeuw is accepting our proposal for cooperation,”
says Aalst Alderman for Sports Matthias De Ridder (N-VA).
“We want to fulfill our role as a city center. After Ninove, Denderleeuw is now the second neighboring municipality to ensure that its residents pay the same as Aalst residents. The difference will, of course, be covered by the municipal council In this way, we can work together to ensure that swimming remains accessible.”
The city has a long history of making swimming accessible to residents. In 2015, it introduced discounted rates for children and families at its pools. In 2018, the program expanded to include residents with a UiTPAS card and athletes with disabilities. The goal has always been to help children learn to swim by the end of sixth grade and to encourage more people to enjoy aquatic activities.
