Belgian Secretary of State for Recovery and Strategic Investments, Thomas Dermine, appearing on RTL, described the abandonment of plans to build a Legoland in Charleroi as a “real disappointment” but expressed hope that new projects would take its place.
“It was an advanced project. Just a few months ago, contractors and construction companies went on the invitation of Lego Korea to submit quotes on the construction of the park,” the Secretary lamented.
The theme park, which was set to be built on the site of the former Caterpillar factory site in Gosselies, was expected to boost employment opportunities in the region and significantly revitalise the area.
The Walloon region earmarked a €100 million investment towards the project, making it the second largest investment project in the past ten years. However, on 24 March, British entertainment company Merlin Entertainments informed Walloon Economy Minister Willy Borsus of the cancellation of the project.
“We were quite far into the project… What remains is that you always have to pick yourself up. At this site, there are opportunities and new projects will emerge,” Dermine said. The aborted project would have provided 1,000 new jobs from the very start of construction.
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The Secretary of State, who is at the head of Charleroi’s CATCH plans to redevelop the Gosselies area, admits that the last minute withdrawal of the theme park was partly a personal failure.
“There is certainly a question mark. When you’re in politics, you live the projects to their fullest… We’re going to direct the strategy and we’re going to have a positive future,” Dermine assured.
