The need for additional sports space is significant. On one hand, WICO, with a considerable number of students and a focus on Sports Sciences, requires extra high-ceilinged halls. On the other hand, the municipality of Pelt faces an overstretched existing sports offering for local sports clubs. By joining forces, a win-win situation is created.
WICO campus Neerpelt, located on Stationsstraat, has recently built four small, low sports halls, which are insufficient for their needs. The municipality of Pelt has a long tradition of collaboration with schools, where sports infrastructure is made available to clubs after school hours. Currently, the municipality already rents school accommodations for sports from various primary schools and school communities, including WICO on several campuses.
The new complex, to be situated between Dommelslag and the WICO campus, will comprise four sports halls, a gymnasium, storage areas, changing rooms, sanitary facilities, and stands. The objective is to create one large, integrated sports campus on this site. The investment of 10 million euros will be shared by the municipality (60%) and WICO (40% through Agion subsidies). Subsidies will also be sought from Sport Vlaanderen.
Gerd Theunis, general director of WICO, emphasizes the focus on co-creation and long-term collaboration with the municipality for quality sports infrastructure after school hours. Raf Drieskens, alderman for sports, adds that the project aligns with the multi-year plan 'Everyone's talent counts' and aims to strengthen talent development through sports, creating more space for healthy development, social interaction, and physical activity.
The signing of the cooperation agreement marks the project's commencement. In the coming months, the municipality and WICO will further concretize and develop the plans.
