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Brussels roundabout becomes 'North Beach' for a day

23:08 21/05/2018

A roundabout outside Brussels North rail station will be transformed into a beach with paddling pool for one day only on 1 June.

Pool is Cool, the organisation dedicated to bringing outdoor swimming back to Brussels, is organising North Beach - not the iconic San Francisco neighbourhood but an unusual afternoon and evening event "to show that urban swimming is fun and possible".

Visitors will be able to go paddling in the fountain located in the middle of the roundabout on Boulevard Roi Albert II. The street will be closed to become a beach with a bar and deckchairs.

Pool is Cool is working with Up4North, an association formed to breathe life into the neighbourhood around Brussels North station.

The location and date of the event are not by chance. 1 June was chosen because a roof garden that is part of this year's Rotterdam Architecture Biennial (which is taking place in both Rotterdam and Brussels) will be opening that day on the plinth of the nearby WTC Towers 1 and 2.

Written by Richard Harris