When architect and professor Gérald Ledent launched his idea of an ambitious canal swimming pool of over 300 meters long, the reactions were initially enthusiastic. Brussels Alderman of Sport Benoit Hellings (Ecolo) financed a limited pre-study and both the Port and the competent regional minister Alain Maron (Ecolo) responded positively. At the latter’s request, the federal investment fund for Brussels Beliris subsequently allocated one million euros for a thorough study.
The news about the large-scale study became known a year ago. Inquiries with Beliris reveal that it has not yet started today and that no order has even been assigned yet. “We are currently drawing up the specifications for the study,” says spokeswoman Elien De Swaef. “We work based on the people and resources we have.”
In addition to the actual swimming pool project, steps were also planned to pave the way to such a structure. This spring, the Port of Brussels wanted to test whether the swimming pool could pose a problem for shipping on the canal. The Port purchased buoys for this purpose, which had to demarcate different zones where the swimming pool could be located.
