Responding to a parliamentary question, Claude Meisch (DP) acknowledged the need for better sports facilities in the young district, which hosts one of the University of Luxembourg campuses, as well as several high schools.

“The project of the new sports center in Esch-Belval is currently in the final stages of the final preliminary project,” the minister wrote, adding: “The relevant bill should be submitted by early 2022 at the latest. Construction work is expected to be completed by 2026 and the building will be put into operation.”

The initial call for designs was sent out in 2013, but in 2015 the scale and budget of the project was reduced and the plans were later adapted to take into account the needs of the local schools.

The current revised project, which was approved by the cabinet in October 2019, includes three 25x15m swimming pools, a diving poll and multi sports centre with a large sports hall that can accommodate six 27x15m units. The units can hold a climbing zone, fitness room, martial arts and body expression room and two squash courts.

In the outdoor area there will also be a sports area with a large, 100x160m sports field, two multi-sports fields, a beach volleyball court and a fitness track.