Flow, Brussels’ only open-air pool, to close permanently
The end of a unique aquatic adventure in Brussels is near.
After four refreshing seasons along the canal in Anderlecht, Flow, the only open-air swimming pool in the capital, Flow pool, will close its doors at the end of May 2025.
Flow’s adventure began in 2021 with a clear objective: to prove that an open-air swimming pool was both feasible and necessary in the Belgian capital. Installed in a temporary wooden and metal structure, built with the help of young Brussels residents, Flow became a symbol of social diversity, urban refreshment, and conviviality.
Why is Flow closing?
The closure of the pool was planned from the start. “Flow was never designed to be permanent,” recalls Paul Steinbrück, co-founder of Pool is Cool. Today, several factors justify its closure: political inertia, reduced financial support, and the fragility of a temporary structure.
Urban swimming still to be developed
Flow’s closure highlights the ongoing lack of public open-air swimming facilities in Brussels. Projects in Neerpede, the canal (Becobad), and the Abattoir site are currently on hold.
Flow succeeded in bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds into a single, welcoming space. “We have proven that Brussels wants and needs accessible swimming spaces,” concludes Paul Steinbrück.
Flow will close its doors permanently at the end of May, but its legacy continues to inspire hope for future urban swimming initiatives in Brussels.
