Today, pupils from De Esdoorn and Sint-Maarten primary schools were the first to take a dip in Zennewater, the first of four new local swimming pools in Mechelen. Three months after the closure of the Geerdegemvaart swimming pool, the city once again has a place to swim — this time in the borough itself.
At 8.30 am, Mayor Bart Somers and the Councillor for Sport, Abdrahman Labsir, arrived at the KMTHC site, accompanied by a delegation from the City of Mechelen and the Swimwise team. The first school classes arrived at around 9 am.
It is no coincidence that these two schools in particular were chosen. Both are located in Hombeek, within walking and cycling distance of the new swimming pool. Whereas their swimming lessons previously involved a bus journey to the other side of the city, the swimming pool is now situated in their own borough. For the schools, this means shorter journeys, less lost teaching time and a swimming budget that goes towards swimming lessons rather than transport.
Zennewater is 25 metres long, heated to between 28 and 30 degrees and wheelchair-accessible, with a mobile lift, separate changing rooms and toilet facilities. It can accommodate up to 49 swimmers at a time.
The pool uses natural swimming water. Instead of chlorine or other chemical disinfectants, an active bacterial culture in the filter keeps the water clear and healthy. This required a run-in period over the past few weeks, during which the filled pool was able to build up that culture.
The press were also present at the opening of the first Swimclad in Mechelen. VRT NWS were there and filmed a report on the story behind the new swimming pool and the additional swimming capacity for Mechelen.
Anyone wishing to explore the swimming pool for themselves is welcome to attend the open viewing session on Wednesday 30 September. Schools are invited from midday onwards, whilst the general public is welcome between 3 pm and 7 pm. No booking is required — simply turn up.
You can book a swimming session from Friday 25 September via mechelen.be/zwembeurt, where you can also find the time slots.
Zennewater is the first of four local swimming pools. De Waterlelie on Leliestraat will follow on 19 October.
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