The importance of solid sports infrastructure cannot be underestimated for both recreational athletes and top athletes. Figures from Sport Vlaanderen show that a large number of Flemish running tracks are outdated. No fewer than 93% are older than 21 years. These slopes are also frequently used in Flanders by one or more sports clubs. Flemish Minister of Sports Weyts therefore decided to make an extra effort specifically for the running tracks, with a project call with which clubs, federations, provinces or local authorities could participate in a group purchase. Through this group purchase they can, among other things, renovate the top layer, expand the number of lanes or repair damage. Inspired sports enthusiasts are more likely to join an athletics club with a good running track.
15 million euros in support for 18 tracks
18 different athletics tracks spread across Flanders will be thoroughly renovated in the short term. This concerns slopes in Mol, Herenthout, Genk, Schoten, Westmalle, Ghent, Kapellen, Hamme, Zwijndrecht, Bruges, Hooglede, Torhout, Dilbeek, Haacht, Zottegem, Jabbeke, Huizingen and Lede. The works will take place over the coming months and will be completed by the end of 2024 at the latest. In total, this involves an investment of €15 million, of which €9 million in support from Flanders. Thanks to the group purchasing formula, the clubs are assured of the quality of the slopes and a much lower investment cost. Moreover, these are athletics tracks where at least one sports club affiliated with the Flemish Athletics League has its home base. This guarantees minimal use of the slopes.
Ben Weyts: “Olympic Games are moments for Flemish athletics”
“Next year’s Olympic Games are a momentum for Flemish athletics. First and foremost for our top athletes, but also for the sport itself. Every time our top athletes show themselves in Flanders, they inspire young and old to put on their running shoes,” says Weyts. “The better our top athletes can prepare, the more their performances will appeal to the imagination and the more Flemish people will make use of these investments in an athletics club.”
Gery Follens: “Adapted infrastructure gives a boost”
Gery Follens, chairman of the Flemish Athletics League, also responds enthusiastically: “The Flemish Athletics League would like to thank the Flemish Government and the Minister of Sports, Mr Ben Weyts, in particular for the important effort made to improve the athletics infrastructure in Flanders.”
“One of the objectives of our federation is also to attract more sporting members. We can only confirm that an adapted infrastructure, which meets the qualitative needs and modern needs of our clubs, can also give a boost here,” said chairman Follens. “We therefore hope that this important financial government impulse can be repeated in the future, so that we can also give the infrastructure a new look and impetus in other Flemish cities and municipalities.”
One of those slopes that is now being renovated is that of Huizingen, where Olympic Essenbeek-Halle has its home base. They are satisfied with the support measures provided: “OEH is pleased that the constructive discussions in recent years have paid off. We are grateful that we can use the funds that the minister has released and that the most important partners in this innovation file, namely the Flemish Minister of Sports, the Province and the city of Halle, have found each other.”
