A plan to construct an open-air swimming pool in a Brussels canal has been scrapped after a city official branded the project "unrealistic."
The lido had been in development since 2009 when an architectural competition was launched to design the project. Architect Gérald Ledent designed a 350m outdoor pool built on the canal at the top of the Quai des Péniches near Tour and Taxis.
The project was the brainchild of former Councillor for Sport Benoît Hellings of the Francophone Green Party. Construction work faced multiple setbacks, including repeated questions over how it would be financed. Work was supposed to begin in 2026.
On Monday evening, First Councillor Florence Frelinx (MR) announced the plan would be scrapped. Speaking during a city council meeting, Frelinx said the project was "unrealistic, especially because of the complex budget situation that we have inherited".
He added: "In addition to the considerable costs, such an infrastructure would probably also entail considerable environmental problems".
The Councillor also questioned whether Brussels "really needs” a 350-metre swimming pool, and concluded that “for all these reasons, it is not responsible to continue with it in this form".
Future pool project?
However, he left open the possibility of an alternative pool project in future, and said that the majority agreement of the City of Brussels "encourages the creation of a new open-air swimming pool on the territory of the city of Brussels".
According to Frelinx, the city is "actively investigating the possibility of implementing the swimming pool project” through a public-private partnership.
He added: "Based on a clear assessment of the needs, and taking into account the shipping on the canal, the City will look for a partner for the financing, management and maintenance of this future infrastructure”.
He added: “Several locations are under consideration, including Quai Béco, Quai des Péniches and Quai des Matériaux. On the basis of a clear assessment of needs, and with a view to integrating navigation on the canal, the City will seek a partner to ensure the financing, management and maintenance of this future infrastructure.”
The City of Brussels already spends more than €4 million in support of the non-profit organisation Brussels Swimming Pools for the management of three municipal swimming pools.
