Bree Develops De Weeg: Sports Facilities, Pool, and Tower on Hospital Site

Bree (Eurotoday) – Construction work for De Weeg is set to begin soon in Bree, located in the Limburg province of Flanders. The project includes a sports complex, a swimming pool, and a residential tower, all to be built on the site of the former hospital.

The De Weeg project will introduce a new sports complex, swimming pool, and residential tower, with construction expected to span three years. This timeline includes both the ongoing athletics track development and subsequent construction phases. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the KOSM school community, the Women in Limburg (WiL) housing organization, and the local government. The aim is to replace outdated infrastructure with modern, functional facilities that benefit the community.

As part of the De Weeg project, residents will gain access to updated sports facilities, a swimming pool, and 36 social and affordable housing apartments in a residential tower. Work on the athletics track has already begun, with further construction expected in the coming months. The central parking lot from the former hospital is scheduled for demolition in mid-April to make way for the new complex. Women in Limburg and the KOSM school community plan to start the main construction phase in June.

Women in Limburg and the KOSM school community are working together as key partners on this project. Raf Drieskens, Chairman of Women in Limburg, highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating,

“De Weeg shows how we, as partners, are building high-quality and integrated housing. By combining housing with sports and relaxation, we are creating a dynamic and liveable environment for everyone.”

Luc Evens, coordinating director of the KOSM school community, emphasized the long-term benefits, noting,

“A construction site of almost 3 years in front of the door, that is quite something, but we know what we are doing it for: a campus where learning, sports, relaxation, and living come together, and all this in a green environment. That is really an added value for everyone.”

Alderman Jo Leenders (N-VA) acknowledged the temporary disruptions caused by the construction but emphasized the necessity of the project.

“We have an outdated sports hall and an outdated swimming pool, and it is time that our city gets the accommodation it deserves,”

Leenders said.

“It is a unique project in which we try to use public funds as wisely as possible.”

What is the background of the De Weeg project?

The De Weeg project is being developed on the site of the former hospital in Bree, located in Belgium’s Limburg province. Since the hospital’s closure, plans have been in place to transform the vacant site into modern infrastructure that meets the community’s needs.

Bree, with a population of approximately 16,000, has been managing aging sports facilities, including outdated sports halls and swimming pools.

The new housing development will provide 36 social and affordable housing units, addressing the increasing need for accessible housing in the area. Research indicates that the demand for affordable housing in Limburg has grown by 12% over the past five years.