Sportsites
1. Stadium De Leunen - Geel
- development vision
Together with the city of Geel and the investor group, we worked as a team of architects to develop a clear vision for the future of the sports stadium and its surroundings. The aim is to develop De Leunen Stadium into a modern, vibrant sports site that means even more to the city and its residents. We want to expand the stadium in several stages and at the same time create a multifunctional environment. In this way, we will not only enhance the sporting experience, but also provide new meeting places, additional facilities and a sustainable future for the sports complex.
Atelier Romain
Antea
Scenario B: rebuilding for optimal use of space.
A key question in this process is what opportunities there are to integrate non-sport-related functions. Such commercial facilities support the phased expansion of the stadium. The design team developed various future scenarios based on an extensive stakeholder survey and a thorough analysis of the current occupancy and use of the stadium and its surroundings. The results of this study were presented during an information market in the stadium canteen, where stakeholders could obtain information and share their opinions. Based on this input, a preferred scenario will be selected and further developed. The main lines of this scenario will ultimately form the basis for the RUP.
- feasibility study
The Lokeren municipal council issued a tender for a study into the redevelopment of the sports grounds surrounding the football stadium in Lokeren. The aim is to transform the site into a modern sports and recreation complex, with KSC Lokeren-Temse as its main user. The assignment included an inventory and analysis of the site, a needs assessment at the club and the city, and the drafting of a master plan. Together with our team, we carried out a feasibility study for both the professional football stadium of KSC Lokeren-Temse and the surrounding sports and recreation area in Daknam.
Atelier Romain
BDO
Traject Mobility & Freestone Advisory
Scenario B: "to leave"
Our conclusions were clear:
- Most of the buildings on the site are in such poor condition that rebuilding is often cheaper than renovation.
- Due to Daknam's location – sandwiched between a nature reserve and a residential area – expanding a professional stadium is difficult, mainly due to potential noise pollution, light pollution and limited space.
- Commercial functions (shops, offices) are hardly feasible here, limiting multifunctional use and financial profitability.
For these reasons, we examined two clear scenarios:
1. "Stay" – renovate or rebuild the stadium in Daknam and keep youth football on the site.
2. "Relocate" – build the professional stadium at another location in Lokeren, allowing Daknam to focus on youth football and other sports clubs.
Both scenarios were assessed in terms of mobility, integration into the environment, phasing, timing and financial feasibility. The result is a clear and realistic plan for the future that helps the city make the best choice for both professional football and the wider sporting community. With our experience in sports architecture, we ensured that this plan is not just an urban development study, but above all a vision of how football and the sporting experience in Lokeren can continue to grow.
The municipality of Grimbergen wants to develop a vision for the future of its sports infrastructure. The central question: how can we ensure that sport in Grimbergen is ready for the future? Through a large online survey and interactive working sessions, we mapped out the needs of residents, sports clubs and surrounding municipalities. This revealed that Grimbergen has relatively little usable sports hall space, while several halls are only half utilised.
Atelier Romain
Jeroen Scheerder (KU Leuven)
To decide on the future of Grimbergen’s sports infrastructure, a comprehensive analysis was carried out of the current facilities, needs, and networks.
- Sport needs: a large online survey among residents and users measured satisfaction with municipal sports infrastructure, mapped where people are active in public spaces, and identified their needs. In addition, several interactive “sprint sessions” were held with local sports clubs and representatives from neighbouring municipalities.
- Sports infrastructure: each of the six municipal sports halls was evaluated using a detailed scorecard covering all aspects of its condition (see reading guide). A SWOT analysis compared the strengths and weaknesses of each hall. Outdoor facilities were mapped in terms of occupancy and potential. The total provision in Grimbergen was then benchmarked against five comparable municipalities in the Belfius cluster, revealing that Grimbergen has far less usable sports hall floor space, while four out of six halls are used less than half of the day.
- Sports network opportunities: the sports infrastructure was analysed within Grimbergen’s spatial context and network connections. The dynamic structure of the surrounding landscape was mapped to identify opportunities for a more coherent and efficient network.
1. Focus on quality by reducing quantity by expanding the diversity of sports types/locations
2. The right type of sports facility in the right location
3. Focus on inclusive sports facilities
4. Smart combination and integration with other functions
5. Further promote public outdoor spaces as important sports facilities
6. Cherish blue space
There is an urgent need to develop a sports network tailored to Grimbergen.
Based on this, we drew up a plan for the future that focuses on the development of two large sports hubs in the north and south of the municipality, supplemented by multifunctional neighbourhood sports facilities. In addition, the role of sports incentives is emphasised as access points and meeting places for both organised and informal sports activities. The sports needs study will result in a transition agenda with policy recommendations and concrete actions, planned over time. By restructuring the offering and making it more efficient, we will increase the quality and utilisation of each facility. With a concrete action plan as a result, we can help the municipality to invest step by step in a future-oriented sports network in Grimbergen.
