About to the VUB swimming pool
The swimming pool at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) campus, renovated in 2018, offers modern facilities to accommodate a wide audience, including individual swimmers, schools, and clubs.
Located at the crossroads of Ixelles, Etterbeek, and Auderghem, the facility includes two pools: a 25-meter pool and a smaller 13-meter pool with a movable floor, enabling a variety of activities such as aqua aerobics and swimming lessons.
Open to everyone, regardless of affiliation with the VUB community, this pool demonstrates the university’s commitment to providing quality services to the broader Brussels population.
Built in :
1988
Management type :
SPORT VUB
Facilities and equipment – VUB swimming pool
VUB swimming pool
Infrastructures of the VUB swimming pool :
Address and contact information – VUB swimming pool
Adress : Bd de la Plaine 2, 1050 Ixelles
Phone : 02 629 23 11
Email : sport@vub.be
Public opening hours – Main pool
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12h – 14h et 17h – 21h |
| Tuesday | 12h – 14h et 17h – 21h |
| Wednesday | 12h – 14h et 17h – 21h |
| Thursday | 12h – 14h et 17h – 21h |
| Friday | 12h – 14h |
| Saturday | 12h – 16h |
| Sunday | 10h – 14h |
Additional Information on Public Hours
Weekdays (Monday to Friday):
The main pool is open for lane swimming, with a requirement that all swimmers can comfortably swim at least 200 meters.
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)
Saturday:
The main pool is available for lane swimming, while the small pool is reserved for family swimming (with a depth of approximately 65 cm).
- 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sunday:
The main pool is open for lane swimming, and the small pool is available for family swimming.
- 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Outside public opening hours
Outside of public access hours, the pool is open but exclusively available for schools and clubs.
- The main pool is occupied by schools and clubs from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, then from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (until 10:00 PM on Fridays), on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, as well as on Sunday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
- The small pool is open to clubs and schools from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM (except on Wednesdays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, reserved for the Swimove Swim School), on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, as well as on Sunday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Last entry and exit from the water
The VUB swimming pool asks swimmers to buy their ticket at least 15 minutes before closing time and to leave the pool at closing time.
Entry fees – VUB swimming pool
If you wish to visit occasionally, the individual entry fee is €5.40 (no sports card required in this case).
For regular visits, the sports card is recommended.
At the VUB pool, prices are based on the use of a sports card and vary depending on the chosen activities and the number of sessions. Here’s how it works:
Sports Card:
To access sports activities at VUB, including the pool, you must first purchase a sports card, which costs €10.60. This card is valid for five academic years and provides access to VUB’s sports facilities, such as changing rooms and showers.
Swimming Rates (Public Sessions):
Once you have the sports card, you can purchase swimming sessions individually or as a subscription:
- 10 sessions for €43.60,
- 20 sessions for €81.90,
- 50 sessions for €190.10.
Reservation via the App:
Swimming sessions must be booked in advance via the VUB Sport app. This ensures that the number of people in the pool remains limited to guarantee comfort and safety (maximum of 10 people per lane).
These prices primarily apply to individual swimmers. Additional rates and options are available for schools, clubs, and groups, who may rent lanes or the entire pool for specific activities.
MUNICIPAL RATES
| Individual | Price |
|---|---|
| Individual entry | 5.40€ |
| Entry cards | Price |
|---|---|
| 10 entries* | 43,60€ |
| 20 entries* | 81,90€ |
| 50 entries* | 190,10€ |
*Additional costs for the creation of the card: the creation and use of the “sports card” for 5 academic years costs €10.60.
RATES OUTSIDE THE MUNICIPALITY
| Individual | Price |
|---|---|
| Individual entry | 5.40€ |
| Entry cards | Price |
|---|---|
| 10 entries* | 43,60€ |
| 20 entries* | 81,90€ |
| 50 entries* | 190,10€ |
*Additional costs for the creation of the card: the creation and use of the “sports card” for 5 academic years costs €10.60.
Activities offered by the VUB swimming pool
The VUB swimming pool offers aquatic activities for adults and children.
Rental of pool and lanes outside public hours
The VUB swimming pool offers a wide range of pool rental options outside public opening hours:
The pool rental system at VUB is well-structured and adapts to the needs of schools, clubs, and groups wishing to practice aquatic activities. Here’s how it works in detail:
Rental of the pool for schools, clubs, and organisations
Groups can rent either the large 25-meter pool or the smaller 12-meter pool, each available at specific times. The rental system is flexible, allowing hourly reservations depending on availability and user needs.
Large pool (25 meters)
- Dimensions: 25 meters long with 5 lanes, gradual depth from 1 meter to 3 meters.
- Rental options: By lane or for the entire pool.
- Equipment: Each lane is equipped with a starting block.
Small pool (12 meters)
- Dimensions: 12 x 7 meters with an adjustable floor depth from 15 cm to 2 meters.
- Features: Higher water temperature, ideal for sensitive groups (babies, seniors, persons with disabilities).
Rental hours
School Hours
Monday to Friday:
- 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
During these hours, the large pool can be rented by lane or as a whole, with a lifeguard provided by VUB Sport.
Club Hours
Monday to Thursday:
- 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Friday:
- 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
During these hours, clubs and groups must rent the entire pool (large or small). A lifeguard must be provided by the renter to ensure safety.
Weekends
Saturday:
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Sunday:
- 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Outside of public hours, the entire pool can also be rented.
Rental rates
The rates vary based on the type of pool and the time of the day. Below is an overview:
During school hours (Lifeguard Included)
- Large Pool, per lane: €17.30/hour
- Large Pool, entire: €76.70/hour
- Small Pool: €59.40/hour
During club hours
- Large Pool, entire: €115.40/hour
- Small Pool: €90.10/hour
Weekends (Outside public hours)
- Large Pool, entire: €144.80/hour
- Small Pool: €113.20/hour
Rental conditions
- Rental is possible with or without a VUB Sports Card, depending on the conditions.
- For rentals outside school hours, clubs or groups must provide their own qualified lifeguard.
- Individual users may reserve up to 3 time slots maximum.
Reservations and additional information
Schools, clubs, and organisations can submit a rental request via the VUB website for regular or one-time use of the pool. It is important to check availability before submitting a rental request.
For more details, interested groups can contact the VUB Sports Service or review the rates and conditions on the official website.
Water quality
The water in the VUB swimming pool is treated with chlorine to guarantee optimum disinfection and ensure the safety of swimmers.
Rules of VUB swimming pool
Accessibility – VUB swimming pool
The pool is located on the VUB campus, easily reachable by public transportation:
- Tram Lines: 7 and 25, stop “Arsenal”
- Metro Lines: 5, stops “Hankar” or “Pétillon”
Other public swimming pools in the vicinity of the VUB swimming pool:
- Espadon swimming pool (Etterbeek)
- Ixelles swimming pool
