Belgian municipalities pool funds for school swimming

Municipalities in Belgium are joining forces to secure the future of school swimming. Liedekerke and Ternat have established new partnerships with Affligem, Roosdaal, Pajottegem, and Lennik to keep school swimming affordable and accessible in the region.

Previously, the involved municipalities operated on a system of annual settlements, where they would reimburse the difference between resident and non-resident rates after the fact. This method offered little financial certainty and placed a substantial burden on Liedekerke and Ternat. The new agreement aims to resolve this issue.

Under the new arrangement, Affligem, Lennik, Pajottegem, and Roosdaal will collectively contribute 67,000 euros annually for school swimming at the Heuvelkouter pool in Liedekerke and the PULS pool in Ternat. These new terms will take effect from the 2026-2027 school year.

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This is a fairer distribution of costs and provides more financial security for the future. School swimming is an essential skill, and it must remain accessible and affordable.

"This is a fairer distribution of costs and provides more financial security for the future," stated Riet Stockmans, sports alderwoman for Liedekerke. "School swimming is an essential skill, and it must remain accessible and affordable." New agreements also apply to public swimming, with residents of Roosdaal and Pajottegem continuing to pay the resident rate at both pools. Adult entry will cost 4.50 euros per session starting in September.

Agreements with Affligem and Lennik for public swimming will not be renewed. Residents from these municipalities will now pay the non-resident rate of 7 euros per adult per session. "This collaboration demonstrates that local authorities can take shared responsibility to safeguard important sports and educational facilities for the entire region," concluded Kris De Meuter, sports alderwoman for Ternat.

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This collaboration demonstrates that local authorities can take shared responsibility to safeguard important sports and educational facilities for the entire region.