Ninove (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The renovation of Ninove’s swimming pool, planned for 2023, is delayed due to procedural issues and soil problems. Mayor Guy D’haeseleer criticized the previous council’s rushed €1.7 million /year deal with Sportoase. The city is renegotiating the agreement, but work likely won’t start before 2026, frustrating locals.
The renovation of the swimming pool in Ninove has faced many delays since it was set to start in 2023. A ceremony was held in September 2024 by the old city council to mark the beginning, but no real work has started yet. According to officials, the delays are due to several issues, including problems with procedures and the need for another soil survey that found more problems.
They mentioned that this has frustrated residents and local groups who hoped for progress on a facility that is important for the community. Officials said that the project aimed to update the swimming facilities and improve recreational options, but it is still stuck, raising concerns about how public works are handled in Ninove.
Is Ninove’s swimming pool renovation delayed by deal issues?
The city council in Ninove, led by Mayor Guy D’haeseleer, is worried about the deal with Sportoase for the swimming pool. D’haeseleer says the last council rushed the agreement before the elections for political gain. He calls this bad management and says the contract is unclear.
He mentioned that the city will pay €1.7 million each year for 30 years to Sportoase. These issues have caused more delays as the current council wants to protect the city’s interests before starting the project.
The agreement was quickly pushed through by the previous city council just before the elections to gain political advantage,
says Mayor Guy D’haeseleer (Forza Ninove), who even speaks of “improper management”
That’s why we’re going to sit down together to renegotiate the file. We’ve already contacted Sportoase for that, but let’s be clear: both the city council and Sportoase want the renovated swimming pool to come.
The city has decided to renegotiate with Sportoase about the swimming pool project. Both the city council and Sportoase want to complete the renovation, but money and legal issues have stopped the work. They need a solid agreement to start construction.
According to D’haeseleer, discussions are already happening and should finish this year. However, the new plan to reopen in 2026 is now unlikely. He mentioned that the focus is on reaching a deal that works for everyone and allows the project to move forward safely.
The agreement forms the basis for the start of the works,
says D’haeseleer.
