Ghent plans major renovation for City Theater and Campo Victoria

Ghent is initiating a comprehensive renovation project for two of its key cultural venues: the Royal Dutch Theater (Stadsschouwburg) on Sint-Baafsplein and the Campo Victoria building on Fratersplein. A master plan will be developed over the next year by a study bureau to assess the extensive work required and how both locations can be addressed concurrently. Both buildings are owned by the city development company sogent and are in urgent need of refurbishment.

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The building is also insufficiently accessible for people with disabilities.

The Stadsschouwburg, home to the theater company NTGent, suffers from leaking roofs, crumbling facades, and requires replacement of its sewage and electrical systems. "The building is also insufficiently accessible for people with disabilities," noted NTGent's business director Daan Vander Steene, who uses a wheelchair. The condition of the Campo Victoria building is even more severe, with Vander Steene stating, "I simply cannot enter there at the moment."

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I simply cannot enter there at the moment.

NTGent has been undertaking urgent repairs for years to keep the Stadsschouwburg functional. "We are constantly putting out fires," Vander Steene said. "Every year, our facade is chipped away so that no debris can fall off and it is safe for visitors and passersby." While the rear of the theater, including technical installations and the loading/unloading zone, was renovated nine years ago, the front, public areas, and facades remain untouched.

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We are constantly putting out fires.

The master plan, to be prepared by study bureaus Wonderstad and Evr-architecten, will also investigate how NTGent and CAMPO can collaborate more closely, both spatially and organizationally. "By sharing infrastructure more intelligently and thinking together from practice about how we use spaces, this will also benefit artists, creators, and the public," said Alderman of Culture Astrid De Bruycker. A separate feasibility study is also underway regarding collaboration with HOGENT's school of arts (KASK & Conservatorium), which involves other city sites as well. Following these studies, discussions will be held with the city and the Flemish government regarding the timeline and funding for the actual renovation.

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Every year, our facade is chipped away so that no debris can fall off and it is safe for visitors and passersby.