Pool is Cool: Citizen-led project to bring back outdoor swimming in Brussels

When the splendid Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool in Evere (pictured) closed in 1978, Brussels was left with no more public outdoor pools. In recent years there have been a number of projects to bring them back.

A few years ago Pascal Smet, Brussels region minister of public works and mobility, proposed a project along the canal near Tour & Taxis. Former mayor Freddie Thielemans had a project in Neder-Over-Hembeek. Then sports alderman Alain Courtois had a plan for a temporary outdoor pool. And now there is another possible pool to be constructed at the foot of the Atomium as part of the Neo project.

But the Pool is Cool collective isn't waiting to see what happens. Their first goal: to build a temporary outdoor pool for this coming summer.

"Everything is cool about the pool," says Lien Nauwelaerts, one of the group's founding members. "To be able to swim outside in the glistening water is a super nice thing. It's one of the qualities a city should have."

Fellow collective member Jorg De Vriese adds: "Indoor pools tend to be only about exercise, outdoor pools are more social and will create interesting public spaces. We are doing a lot of things to raise awareness that this is possible such as urban actions, research, design programs and of course, by building a temporary pool in the coming months."

Outdoor public pools already exist around Brussels in Huizingen, Hofstade, Grimbergen, Waterloo, Ottignies and Boom. "It's true that they exist but if you don't have a car they are hard to reach," says Nauwelaerts. "I think it's a lame excuse for not having a pool in Brussels."

What about the weather? "We've been visiting pools in London and they swim there all year round," she adds. "There is a lot of interest. We will try to get funding, enter into private partnerships, get the community involved, and eventually get the politicians involved. This is a bottom-up project."

Pool is Cool will be holding monthly information gatherings for those interested in learning more or participating in the project.  The group is also inviting people to show their interest by taking a photo of themselves fully dressed, in the position to dive and ready to swim. See www.pooliscool.org or visit their Facebook page.