Dock at Antwerp’s MAS Museum opens as pop-up swimming pool

This summer, people will be able to swim in a zone of the Bonaparte Dock at the MAS Museum in Antwerp for the first time. From 28 July, visitors can enter the water next to the museum on seven Sundays. The initiative is a test for a possible permanent swimming zone in the dock.

The plan was already announced more than two years ago, but now the time has finally come. This summer, visitors can enjoy the water in a 'swimming dock' at the MAS, free of charge. People do have to register in advance.

The swimming zone consists of two parts: a part for swimming laps and a part for free swimming. A maximum of one hundred swimmers will be allowed in the dock at a time. Children under 12 are not allowed.

The pop-up swimming pool will be open on seven Sundays: 28 July, 4, 11, 18 and 25 August and 8 and 15 September. Swimmers are welcome in the afternoon, from 12 to 5 pm.

“For this summer, we unfortunately didn’t find an operator to open the Bonaparte Dock permanently,” said Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever to Flemish public broadcaster VRT. “Nevertheless, it will now be possible to swim there for the first time in 200 years.”

The programme of this summer is a test, to examine if a permanent swimming zone in the dock is possible in the future. “We are also going to work with the input of swimmers,” stressed Peter Wouters, alderman for sports.

People can register for a swim in the Bonaparte Dock at https://zwembadenantwerpen.recreatex.be/

^{#FlandersNewsService | The MAS Museum in Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO LECLERCQ Olivier / Hemis via AFP}