Hasselt dives head first into long-awaited swimming pool
At the brand new swimming complex in Kapermol Park, long queues and limited open-swim hours are a thing of the past
Indoor & outdoor
Hasselt had long ago outgrown the old indoor pool, built in 1963, which had only six lanes. Due to demand by sports clubs and schools, the pool was open to individual swimmers only for limited hours each day. The new complex has a new pool with eight lanes and a second with four lanes, both of which are open to recreational swimmers all day long.
“Through the doubling of the water surface area, the swimming pool is also more accessible to schools and sports clubs,” says Hasselt’s city councillor for sport, Habib El-Ouakili. “Before, there were long waiting lists for swimming lessons, and schools had pulled out due to insufficient capacity. These problems are a thing of the past.”
The large indoor pool has a movable floor to allow for different uses. Besides the two indoor sport pools and an Olympic-sized outdoor pool, the complex includes a wild-water slide, two wave pools and two kiddie pools.
All facilities were designed to be more accessible for swimmers with disabilities, and there is a motorised lift that can help wheelchair users get in and out of the water more easily.
Bermudas
There’s also a new restaurant, Bermudas Beach Bar, featuring retro-surfer decor, complete with an Airstream caravan. The outdoor bar area has patio umbrellas and comfortable lounge seating. It’s a big improvement over the old poolside concession serving fries and ice cream. The whole complex cost €21 million.
Given the price tag, it’s not surprising that the entry fee has gone up from €1.50 to €3.50 for adults. But measures were taken during construction to ensure long-term savings in energy costs.
“The automatic rolling cover for the outdoor pool is good for an annual savings of at least 280,000 kWh, or just over €15,000, since the pool doesn’t have to be reheated again each time,” says Joost Venken, city councillor for energy and sustainability. Triple-glazed windows mean energy savings of 30,000 kWh per year, for a cost savings of €1,600. And a green roof both insulates and connects the pool building with the surrounding park.
The automatic rolling cover for the outdoor pool is good for an annual savings of at least €15,000
City employees, sports clubs and some lucky residents had the chance to try out the new swimming pool before its opening last month. The feedback from these test sessions proved useful in determining the optimal positions for lifeguards and in improving signage around the pool.
All Hasselt residents were offered a one-time free ticket good for five entries, perhaps to make up for the long wait for the new pool. Construction started on the site of the previous outdoor pool in September 2014, and the old indoor pool closed at the end of May this year. Those with longer memories may recall that plans for a new swimming pool have been in the works since the 1990s.
The response to the new swimming pool has been overwhelmingly positive, judging from the festive atmosphere at the grand opening and the steady stream of swimmers through the doors since then.
Perhaps the only criticism is that the giant yellow water slide that was a favourite feature of the outdoor pool has vanished. But it won’t be missed for long, judging by the screams of delight coming from kids on the new wild water slide.
Photo: Kris Van de Sande
