Flow, the only open-air swimming pool in the Brussels Region, will close its doors at the end of May, marking the fulfilment of the project’s goal to demonstrate the feasibility and necessity of such an initiative in the capital.
For the past four years, Flow has been located along the canal in Anderlecht, offering a refreshing (and rare) respite for Brussels residents.
The aim was always to explore various possibilities without replacing actual public pools, according to Paul Steinbrück from Pool is Cool, the organisation which runs the swimming project. He believes the closure highlights the urgent need for permanent and accessible swimming areas in Brussels.
The organisation cites political inaction, reduced public funding, and the temporary and fragile nature of Flow’s structure as reasons for its closure. "Continuing Flow would no longer meet our expectations, the public’s, or our team’s," Steinbrück explained.
A permanent outdoor swimming pool in Brussels was part of the previous Brussels Government’s agreement, which has been in a caretaker status for more than 10 months.
Existing projects, such as the swimming pond in Neerpede, the Becobad swimming area in the canal, the pool at the Abattoir site, and a natural swimming pond in Uccle, are stalled or delayed for various reasons.
