To help public swimming pools become more sustainable, EQUANS offers a new turnkey concept: the Sportoase PPP.
Today, swimming pools are becoming increasingly obsolete in Belgium. The majority were built in the 1970s and 1980s and some are now having to close their doors as their maintenance and operation costs present a financial challenge for towns and cities. In response to the desire of local authorities to offer more qualitative aquatic and sports complexes, EQUANS provides a turnkey concept that limits energy consumption and ensures high-level maintenance of technical facilities, while ensuring the comfort and safety of users.
Sportoase: a unique model
Leuven, Tongeren, Antwerp… In total, the Sportoase concept has already attracted around twenty towns and cities. All over Belgium, a new kind of swimming pool is appearing. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, these water paradises offer a range of services: competition pool, movable-floor pool, jacuzzi, games for the little ones and, in most cases, areas dedicated to well-being, fitness or relaxation.
What explains this success in cities and towns?
In addition to its modern facilities, the Sportoase concept offers many other advantages including very short construction or renovation lead times, cost control, regular equipment checks, water and air quality analysis, etc. Not to mention that opting for a Sportoase means hiring the services of a service provider of choice, who is capable of implementing technical solutions at the cutting edge of progress in energy efficiency and sustainability.
A multi-service offer in the form of PPPs
Heat recovery, regulation system, LED lamps, water treatment plant, photovoltaic panels… With more than 50 years of experience in the management and maintenance of swimming pool installations, EQUANS manages the technical part of Sportoase projects from start to finish. The construction and operation of these sports and aquatic centres are carried out in the form of a PPP (Public and Private Partnership), a contract that offers more extensive possibilities than financing by public funds alone. The result? Sportoase centres are fully equipped and offer a 30% energy saving compared to a traditional swimming pool. With such convincing arguments, there is a good chance that this concept will continue to develop.
