Knokke-Heist (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Knokke-Heist’s new boulodrome features 20 pétanque courts and cost €1 million, initially budgeted at €300,000. Current Mayor Jan Morbee and late Mayor Leopold Lippens were key figures in the project.
Pétanque is a popular game in France with a long history, and there are special places called boulodromes for playing it. Inspired by this, the coastal town of Knokke-Heist in Belgium decided to create their own boulodrome. The current mayor, Jan Morbee, suggested the idea to the town’s leaders, but the late mayor Leopold Lippens was initially doubtful, thinking the project might not be practical or necessary.
How did Knokke-Heist transform doubts into a €1M Boulodrome for Pétanque?
It has been said that Morbee and his team were determined to move forward with the boulodrome plan despite initial doubts. They believed it would be a great space for pétanque fans in Knokke-Heist and worked hard to promote the idea. Over time, they managed to convince Mayor Lippens of its value, and he eventually gave the green light for the project to proceed. Now, the boulodrome stands as a testament to the town’s openness to international ideas while creating a community space for social and recreational activities.
The boulodrome project in Knokke-Heist started with a budget of 300,000 euros, but it ended up costing 1 million euros. It’s located next to the Laguna sports center and has 20 courts, each 12 meters long, all inside a hall that meets international tournament standards. This means the courts can be adjusted for global competitions, making it a flexible place for big events. A feature of the complex is that it can open to the outdoors. When the weather is nice, large gates can be opened so players can enjoy fresh air while they play. This design allows the facility to be used all year round. Mayor Jan Morbee is very happy with the final result, saying the boulodrome has helped local pétanque fans and made Knokke-Heist a possible location for international tournaments.
In Knokke-Heist, there are 4 official clubs with more than 300 players, plus some other groups that join in a beach bar competition. Both club members and individual players can use the boulodrome, and everyone is really happy about it. Christian Van den Ouden, who leads the biggest pétanque club there, said this boulodrome is the best in the country and that it’s perfect for the sport’s future. He’s seen many boulodromes in France, and he thinks this one is a dream come true.
