Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – KRC Genk’s H.Essers Training Centre shell is complete one year before finishing. Located near Cegeka Arena on Opglabbekerzavel, the facility will feature modern training amenities in a natural environment.
As VRT News reported, KRC Genk’s H.Essers Training Centre’s structural shell is now complete. The club hosted a guided tour of the construction site this afternoon, Nov 19, 2025. The full centre is expected to be finished by the end of 2026.
Officials mentioned that it will be one of the most advanced football training facilities in the Benelux region. It will include 3 hybrid football pitches and a 1,400 m² indoor hall. An indoor swimming pool with an adjustable floor will allow for training and rehabilitation.
Changing rooms of nearly 150 m², physiotherapy suites, and wellness areas are part of the plan. The complex will also have a kitchen, a garage for the team bus, offices, meeting rooms, and a 50-seat auditorium.
What makes KRC Genk’s H.Essers training centre a top football hub by 2026?
The H.Essers Training Centre will stand out because of its location in the Genk heathland. The club wants the complex to blend with nature while offering top-level facilities.
“We are integrating the nature of the Opglabbekerzavel into the project,”
explains architect Jochen Kerkhofs of PCP Architects.
“Nature will be restored to its former glory and the building will be fully embedded with embankments and green roofs. This is unique, as is the fact that the stadium, the youth complex, and the new A-team complex will all be located on a single strip in this green setting.”
The construction of KRC Genk’s H.Essers Training Centre is part of a wider master plan for the club. The plan will also include the renovation of the Cegeka Arena in a later phase. Limburg-based construction company Houben NV is responsible for building the new training complex.
“We started the shell construction in March,”
explains project manager Bart Jans of Houben NV.
“At the end of January 2026, we will begin the finishing phase, which will be completed in June. The goal is to deliver the building by mid-September 2026. So far, work has been very fast thanks to the tight schedule and the use of many precast concrete elements. These also meet the building’s aesthetic requirements.”
Luc Hooybergs, KRC Genk’s new CEO, described the centre as a significant milestone in the club’s development.
“We’ve evolved from a stable first division club to a top club, and we want to remain that way. But we also want to continue growing, because the world of football is evolving incredibly quickly. To remain a top club, we have to be top-notch not only in Belgium but also internationally. That’s why it’s our ambition to play in European competitions every year.”
He added that achieving this ambition depends on several factors, including world-class training facilities, a strong organisational structure, investment in player development, and a professional environment that supports both players and staff.
Hooybergs said,
“For example, we are in the process of converting from a non-profit organisation to a public limited company, which should allow us to grow financially. Furthermore, we need to provide our players and staff with an environment that exudes a top-level sports mentality and where they can give their best. What we are creating with this new training complex is a unique 6,000-square-meter environment with three practice fields, nestled in a nature reserve. That’s unique in Europe.”
KRC Genk announced its plan for a new training centre in early 2022 as part of a larger €70 million project that also includes renovating the Cegeka Arena. Preparatory work began at the end of 2023. On 28 January 2025, PCp Architects and builder Houben NV officially started construction of the H.Essers Training Centre. The goal is for the first team to move into the facility during the 2026–2027 season.
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