Kortrijk to spend €14.2M on new gymnastics facility

Kortrijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 12 January 2026 – The city of Kortrijk plans to construct a new gymnastics hall at the Wembley sports complex in the Heule district to replace the outdated 1960s facility. City officials selected four top designs from over 40 submissions, advancing them to the final design phase. The project carries a budget of €14.2 million with completion targeted for summer 2030.

The Wembley sports site currently houses a gymnastics hall dating back to the 1960s, which city authorities describe as severely outdated. Local government initiated a design competition that attracted more than 40 entries from architectural firms and designers. After evaluation, Kortrijk officials chose the four strongest proposals to proceed to detailed final designs.​

The new facility will serve multiple disciplines, including gymnastics, athletics, and martial arts, expanding the sports complex’s capabilities. City planning documents outline the hall as a central hub for regional sports activities in Heule, a district on Kortrijk’s outskirts. Construction timelines project completion by summer 2030, aligning with broader municipal investments in sports infrastructure.

Design Competition Process and Selection Criteria

Kortrijk launched the competition to solicit innovative proposals for the replacement hall. Over 40 submissions underwent review by a panel of city planners, sports federation representatives, and architectural experts. Selection criteria emphasised functionality, sustainability, integration with the existing Wembley complex, and cost efficiency within the €14.2 million allocation.

The four shortlisted designs now enter the final phase, where competitors refine plans incorporating feedback from initial assessments. City officials expect submission of complete blueprints by mid-2026, paving the way for tender processes and construction bids. This structured approach ensures the project meets technical standards for international-level gymnastics and multi-sport use.

Public consultations formed part of the evaluation, gathering input from local sports clubs and Heule residents. Feedback highlighted needs for ample training space, spectator seating, and energy-efficient features. The winning design will balance these requirements while respecting the site’s historical sports role.

Wembley Sports Complex Background and Current Facilities

The Wembley sports complex in Heule has served Kortrijk’s sporting community for decades, anchoring local athletics, gymnastics, and martial arts programmes. The existing gymnastics hall, constructed in the 1960s, features limited floor space and outdated equipment, prompting repeated calls for modernisation from user groups. Recent assessments confirmed structural wear and non-compliance with contemporary safety regulations.

Heule district residents and athletes advocated for upgrades through municipal channels, citing insufficient capacity for growing participation numbers. The complex hosts regular events for regional clubs, schools, and national qualifiers, straining the current infrastructure. Replacement plans address these pressures with a larger, versatile hall supporting diverse disciplines.

Kortrijk’s sports policy integrates the project into the wider goals of accessible facilities. Wembley’s location offers proximity to residential areas and transport links, enhancing usability for commuters from surrounding West Flanders communes.

Budget Allocation and Funding Sources

City council approved €14.2 million for the gymnastics hall, drawn from municipal capital budgets and regional sports grants. Funding breakdown includes provisions for design finalisation, site preparation, construction, and fit-out with specialised gymnastics apparatus. Officials allocated contingency funds to cover potential inflation or unforeseen site conditions.

Procurement follows Flemish public tender regulations, ensuring transparency in contractor selection. The budget supports sustainable materials and energy systems, targeting low operational costs post-completion. Kortrijk anticipates partial revenue from facility rentals and event hosting to offset long-term maintenance.

Fiscal planning ties the project to the city’s 2026-2030 infrastructure plan, prioritising sports amid population growth. Annual budget reviews will monitor progress against financial targets.

Project Timeline and Construction Milestones

Construction schedule spans from late 2027 to summer 2030, allowing time for final designs, permits, and phased building. Key milestones include final design approvals by end-2026, tender awards in early 2027, and groundbreaking mid-year. Site works precede main structure erection, followed by interior installations.

Summer 2030 completion enables immediate use for peak sports seasons. Temporary facilities will sustain current programmes during demolition and rebuild phases. City engineers coordinated timelines with national gymnastics calendars to minimise disruptions.

Weather-independent phases prioritise foundation and steel framework in initial stages. Final commissioning tests ensure compliance with Flemish building codes and international sports standards before handover.

Multi-Disciplinary Design Features Planned

The new hall accommodates gymnastics, athletics, and martial arts through modular layouts. Features include sprung floors for gymnastics, running tracks for athletics warm-ups, and tatami mats for martial arts. Spectator capacity reaches 500, with flexible seating for competitions.

Accessibility ranks high, incorporating ramps, lifts, and changing rooms for disabled athletes. Ventilation and lighting meet elite training requirements, supporting year-round operations. Adjacent parking expands to 200 spaces, easing event-day access.

Sustainable elements feature solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and insulation exceeding Flemish norms. Architects integrated green roofs to blend with Heule’s landscape.

Local Sports Community Expectations

Heule gymnastics clubs welcomed the announcement, noting capacity shortages for youth squads. Martial arts dojos anticipate dedicated spaces, reducing reliance on shared venues. Athletics groups seek auxiliary tracks complementing nearby fields.

Regional federations endorsed the €14.2 million investment, aligning with national sports development goals. User groups expect input during final design refinements, ensuring practical layouts.

Kortrijk’s sports department plans community open days post-selection, showcasing shortlisted concepts. Feedback loops continue through construction, maintaining stakeholder engagement.

Regional Context of Kortrijk Sports Investments

Kortrijk pursues multiple facility upgrades amid West Flanders’ sports boom. Wembley forms part of a €50 million municipal portfolio targeting 2030. Nearby projects include pool renovations and cycle paths, fostering active lifestyles.

Heule’s Wembley site benefits from EU cohesion funds for rural sports access. Flemish government matches local contributions, boosting total investment. Commuter links via E17 motorway position the complex as a sub-regional hub.

Population projections justify expansions, with Heule growing 5 per cent by 2030. Sports participation rates rose 12 per cent since 2020, per city data.

Environmental and Sustainability Commitments

Design briefs mandated carbon-neutral operations, integrating heat pumps and LED systems. Material choices prioritise recycled steel and low-emission concrete. Biodiversity measures include native planting around the site.

Energy modelling predicts 40 per cent savings over the old hall. Flemish Environment Agency reviews align with 2030 climate targets. Water efficiency features reduce usage by 30 per cent.

Economic Impact on Heule District

Construction generates 150 jobs over three years, prioritising local firms. Post-opening, the hall hosts 200 events yearly, injecting €2 million annually via tourism. Sports tourism aligns with Kortrijk’s visitor strategy.

Heule businesses anticipate uplift from event traffic. City economic reports project 300 indirect jobs in hospitality and retail.

Governance and Oversight Mechanisms

A dedicated project board, chaired by the sports alderman, oversees progress. Monthly reports go to the city council, with public dashboards online. Independent audits verify budget adherence. Stakeholder committees include users and residents, meeting quarterly. Flemish oversight ensures compliance with regional standards.