Waterhoek ( Brussels Morning Newspaper ) – Lubbeek municipality plans to build both a new sports hall and swimming pond on the Waterhoek estate following the acquisition of its available property. Mayor Theo Francken explained that the municipality demands new recreational facilities due to the two-decade-old condition of their current sports hall.
The Waterhoek estate, consisting of two ponds, now has a restaurant for sale, while the municipality of Lubbeek is assessing building plans for a sports hall and swimming pond. The existing sports hall at this location requires immediate replacement, according to Mayor Theo Francken, because it has served the community through its 20-year presence. A proposal backed by the Groen opposition seeks to fix recreational gaps in the community through improvements of neighbourhood facilities.
The existing sports hall requires replacement, according to Mayor Francken, because of its ageing structure combined with insufficient maintenance standards.
He remarked,
There are few options for parking,
indicating logistical challenges that further support the need for relocating the sports facilities. Approaching this situation, the Groen party targets this event to create better recreational facilities for the community.
The municipality is examining a swimming pond project.
We are studying that further,
stated Francken, indicating that integrating swimming facilities within this recreational domain is feasible.
We had our eye on the area ourselves,
says Mayor Francken.
Last year, we bought the Dievenhof, a piece of nature reserve on the domain.
Now, the rest of the domain is freed up.
There is now a restaurant, and there used to be a fishing club at the 2 ponds,
says the mayor.
Moreover, the area is classified as a recreational domain, which we really have a shortage of in Lubbeek.
Why is development important for Lubbeek?
Lubbeek’s recreational infrastructure upgrade reflects Belgium’s broader trend of village development. Since 2014, the Knowledge Centre for Neighbourhood Sports has supported 23 Flemish municipalities to provide accessible youth sports through its program.
The European Union (EU) dedicated €60.3 billion to recreational and sporting services through their expenditures in 2022. Belgium‘s sports and recreation facilities generated more than €1 billion in revenue in the year’s first quarter of 2023. Lubbeek battles with insufficient recreational spaces within its borders. Research shows that when people live near recreation facilities, their physical activity participation tends to increase.
