Woumen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Students and instructors protested in Woumen, near Diksmuide, against the Flemish government’s plan to close the Sport Vlaanderen equestrian centre. A 7,500-signature petition was launched; Louise Vandendriessche led protests.
As VRT News reported, at the equestrian centre in Woumen, near Diksmuide, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, students and instructors gathered to protest the Flemish government’s plan to close the site. The closure is part of budget cuts at Sport Vlaanderen, which oversees public sports centres in Flanders.
2 centres in West Flanders will be affected, 1 in Blankenberge and one in Woumen. The government says the equestrian centre in Woumen needs major renovations to meet fire and safety standards. The site still holds a valid fire certificate until 2027, but renewing it would require an investment of 5 to 6 million euros.
What will happen to the Sport Vlaanderen Centre in Woumen?
“The government assumes a full renovation,”
said teacher Louise Vandendriessche, who joined the protest.
“But we believe smaller interventions would be enough.”
She added that neither the province nor the city of Diksmuide was informed before the announcement and only heard the news a few days ago.
Protesters describe the centre as an important training and community space for young riders. They fear the closure will reduce sports opportunities in rural West Flanders and are urging the Flemish government to review the decision and look for solutions that could save the centre from shutting down.
“It’s good to come together this morning and feel the solidarity,”
said teacher Louise Vandendriessche. She explained that the protest began after the news of the closure was announced. Several children and young riders who train at the centre started a petition, which has already collected 7,500 signatures.
Vandendriessche said,
“We can only hope that our voices will still be heard.”
The participants believe the centre deserves another chance and want the government to review the decision before closing it.
Supporters arrived with banners and signs calling for the site to remain open.
“This is my second home,”
said Wout, a 14-year-old from Vlamertinge.
“I’ve been riding here for four years, and I can’t bear the thought of the centre disappearing.”
“I was just planning to start my training as an initiator, hoping to be able to teach here,
says Bartholomeus (17).
“I live in Erpe-Mere, in East Flanders, so I have to drive quite a distance to come here to practice. Wargem, where there is also an equestrian centre, is much closer, but I much prefer coming here. The atmosphere is incomparable. Closure would be a great loss.”
The Sport Vlaanderen equestrian centre in Woumen, close to Diksmuide, has been a significant equestrian centre and equestrian education centre since the 1970s. It was established to provide riders in West Flanders the opportunity to train in various disciplines, the ability to compete, and to learn about horse management.
The centre subsequently became part of Sport Vlaanderen in 2016 due to the reorganisation of the former BLOSO sports agency. Over the years, the site has hosted youth camps, lessons, and local competitions, drawing many young riders from West Flanders into the region.
