The sports hall was built just below the flyover — © SLN
Ledeberg –
Two boxes that fit exactly under the flyover. That is the new neighborhood sports hall in Ledeberg, which was opened on Saturday amid great interest. It is the culmination of 20 years of urban renewal in the Ghent district and cost 7.4 million euros.
“The mayor must give more passes. He wants to score a goal too much.” Ledeberg resident Roland Martens is 80 years old and one of the many local residents who were present during the opening of the new neighborhood sports hall. This happened with a game of football, in which Mayor De Clercq (Open VLD) and Alderman of Sport Sofie Bracke (Open VLD) also participated.
Roland describes the new attraction as nice and clean and a serious improvement for the neighborhood. He will mainly come and watch when basketball is played. “We are now less dependent on the center. That is very good. I just hope that the dark back of the sports hall is not used for less peaceful appointments.”
Urban renewal
The new neighborhood sports hall has a sporting and social function and is the final piece of the Ledeberg Leeft urban renewal project. Previously, the Keizerpark, the Botermarkt and a series of senior flats were tackled. “Ledeberg has made significant progress as a result,” says Mayor De Clercq. The sports hall itself cost 7.4 million euros. 810,000 euros were spent on tackling the immediate environment. The design is by the architectural firm License to Build by Geert Van Wesemael.
According to Alderman Bracke, the structure shows efficiency: “In a busy city like Ghent, every square meter must be put to good use. By sliding a sports hall under the flyover, we use a piece of land that would otherwise be wasted. Building was not easy and during the works we came across surprises, such as an old sewer system and pieces of solid concrete, probably from when the flyover was built.” (read more below photo)
The sports hall was opened with a game of football — © SLN
The sports hall has room for volleyball, basketball, badminton and indoor and mini football. The floor is orange, different from other Ghent sports halls, because it matches the wooden interior better. Sports equipment is also available, such as a mini trampoline, a Swedish bench and a skirting board. There are also toilets and changing rooms with showers and a staff room, a first aid room and a cafeteria.
QR-code
The new neighborhood sports hall is primarily for the neighborhood. Not only local clubs and associations will find accommodation there, the organization ‘Move 9000’ of vzw Jong will also provide a tailor-made offer. Ghent Basketball and Sportaround will organize after-school activities there, and the cafeteria will also serve as a meeting room. After Tondelier and Melopee, it is the third unmanned sports hall in Ghent where visitors can enter with a QR code.
One of the many young visitors on Saturday was Fleur Van Weerst (7). She also thinks the new sports hall is more than successful: “Playing outside is of course great fun, but when it is cold or raining heavily, it is nice that we can play football here. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Roland Martens — © SLN
Fleur Van Weerst and mother Lies De Wispelaere — © SLN
© SLN
The QR scanner to enter — © Stad Ghent
Lots of people during the opening of the sports hall — © SLN
2024-01-20 18:02:01
#sports #hall #Ledeberg #fits #perfectly #flyover #dependent #center #Ghent
