ESCS site gets new purpose as central sports facility

In the city council meeting on April 17, the municipal council of Sittard-Geleen decided that the former ESCS site on the Sportcentrumlaan will be developed into a central sports facility with space for nature development.

With this development, the municipality aims for a central, efficient, and future-proof sports accommodation that meets the changing needs of sports clubs and residents of Sittard-Geleen.

Andries Houtakkers (member of the Municipal Executive): “After years of intensive consultation and research, we can now provide a concrete outlook for the redevelopment of the former sports and swimming location on the Sportcentrumlaan in Sittard. The great thing is that we can respond to the needs and development plans of sports clubs and the needs and wishes of the joint nature associations in our city. This meets an important focal point for the future of sports and exercise in the municipality of Sittard-Geleen.”

Effort and relaxation in a green environment

The development of the ESCS site as a central sports facility for Sittard is based on social impact, efficient use of existing space, and the opportunities offered by public-private partnerships. In addition to the redevelopment of the site, ecological measures will also be taken. For example, part of the ESCS location will be dedicated to nature development, and a green buffer will be created to preserve and strengthen the ecological value of the surrounding natural environment (especially the Schwienswei). In the plan, attention will also be paid to swimming facilities, aimed at specific target groups and educational swimming, as agreed on in previous council decisions.

Next steps

In the coming period, the plan will be further elaborated, and detailed agreements will be made with involved parties. This process will take some time and will pave the way for a further spatial elaboration of the plan for a sports facility in the area. The final plan, including an action plan with concrete measures for both the development of sports facilities and nature development, will be presented to the city council after further research.