The former outdoor swimming pool in Ypres has a fascinating history. From 1884 onwards, it served as a military swimming pool in a demarcated area of the Kasteelgracht. In 1929, it was opened to the general public and in 1938 it was converted into an Olympic swimming pool. In 2001, the site had to close its doors, and since then, various future scenarios have been explored. These show that no feasible repurposing is possible as long as the swimming pool site itself is protected as a monument. Following its declassification, OMGEVING and B-Juxta were appointed to draw up a new development plan with fewer restrictions and a focus on better integration with the city.
The layout plan focuses on making the site visible again and creating an essential open water connection to the Wieltjesgracht. The swimming pool forms the northern end of the fortified landscape. This means that not only is respectful integration into the landscape important, but the water system must also be diverted via the fortifications. The current water system will not be able to drain future stormwater quickly enough. References to the former outdoor swimming pool are still visible thanks to the preservation of the northern and eastern pool walls and the equal height of the grass grandstand with the edge of the former pool. The footpath on both sides of the Castle Moat, which currently ends abruptly, will be connected thanks to the new layout, thus resolving the missing link in the fortification walk. The route of the Vauban fortification wall, the foundations of which are still underground, will be made visible by reconstructing a section of the wall at sitting height. This reconstruction will reveal the historical structure of Vauban, which cannot be seen anywhere else in Ypres. The site itself offers various seating areas so that visitors of all ages can fully enjoy this green spot by the water with a view of the Menen Gate.
