Proposal approved for new canalside sports centre in Brussels

The Brussels government has approved a proposal to build a sports centre by the city’s canal between the Quai des Armateurs/Rederskaai and the Allée Verte/Groendreef, near North Station, as part of the Urban Renewal Contract No. 1 "Citroën – Vergote”.

The sports centre, which will be built on a plot of land of some 2600m² located along the Vergote Basin, will include a multi-sports hall, a gymnasium, a climbing room, courts for racket sports and a cafeteria. The project is expected to be completed between 2024-2025. The management of the future sports complex, once complete, will be entrusted to the City of Brussels.

The 5,400m² centre, to be developed by the Company for Urban Establishment (MSI), will complement the renewal of the surrounding area that includes the Kanal - Centre Pompidou, the construction of the Béco Park, the construction of the Suzan Daniel bridge, and new developments on the site of Tour & Taxis.

"This is a new regional government project in the canal zone and one of the symbol projects of the first series of urban renewal contracts,” said Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort who put forward the proposal. “It fits perfectly with the philosophy of urban renewal contracts initiated by the Region and implemented together with the municipalities: eliminating public infrastructure deficits and reducing urban fault lines between neighbourhoods.”

"For us, this project is essential because the district has been changing for several years and we look forward to continuing to develop the city's project along the canal,” said Brussels mayor Philippe Close. “The idea is that the residents can enjoy collective facilities in order to develop themselves in their neighbourhood. Homes, a school, a crèche, public transport and now also sports infrastructure will make this district a habitable and peaceful zone."